Hair wash: the best routine for curly hair

According to the experts, this is the one and only way to blow dry curls for the best results. Beautiful bouncy curls coming right up… (we trialled and tested it). 

Prep your curls 

How you deal with curly hair when it’s wet will determine its texture when it’s dry. After it’s been washed, apply a hydrating styling cream evenly through your curls to enhance definition and quench their thirst. This is a crucial step as curly hair is often dry as the curls make it difficult for the naturally produced oils on our scalp to travel from root to tip. Next up is a heat protectant to seal your strands to prevent heat damage when blow-drying your curls. 

Use a diffuser 

To blow dry curly hair, you’ll want to use a diffuser as it won’t disturb your natural curl pattern. Here’s how:

• Absorb excess water from the hair with a microfiber towel.

• Apply styling products then gently twirl individual curls around your finger, then release, following the natural curl pattern as much as you can. This will help them hold their shape for longer. 

• Section the hair into four equal parts and secure them in place with a clip. Or less if the hair is thinner. Sectioning the hair will ensure you don’t leave your inner hair damp and frizzy.

• Tilt your head to the side of the section you’re working on. Gently place it in the diffuser, bringing it halfway up the hair and holding it in place until dry, then blast with cold air to seal the cuticles for longer-lasting curls. Repeat for all four sections. 

Add some shine

When your curly hair is fully dry, apply a nourishing hair oil for a healthy shine. Using oil at the end of the drying process helps break the 'cast' (the excess of styling products that gives a 'plastic' and rigid effect to the hair).

Before we get to the juicy part about how to stop curly hair from going frizzy, we need to understand why it happens. When hair is damaged, the cuticle - the outer layer of the hair strand - raises which causes a frizzy appearance. So, the answer to your question “How to make my curly hair not frizzy?” is repairing and flattening your hair cuticles. Discover how to go from frizzy to fabulous below. 

• Add more moisture: When the hair is damaged, it becomes dry as the raised cuticles let moisture escape. Adding more moisture wherever you can (think hydrating shampoos, conditioners, hair masks etc.) will restore moisture levels and smoothen your hair cuticles.

• Microfiber towel: The stiff texture of cotton towels creates unnecessary friction with the curls which can lift the hair cuticles even higher. Microfiber towels are made up of soft microscopic fibres that won’t cause so much friction. 

• Be mindful of the ingredients you’re using: Harmful haircare ingredients, such as alcohol and sulphates, can lead to hair damage and frizziness over time. Watch out for them.

• Invest in a diffuser: Still wondering how to stop curly hair from going frizzy? Blow-drying curly hair with a regular hair dryer is a sure way to rough up hair cuticles as it’s blown in every direction. Diffusers hold curls in place whilst evenly distributing heat.

Afro hair is the most delicate hair type on the block, meaning it needs more TLC to do its thing. Below you’ll find the best Afro hair routine to enhance their natural beauty. 

The best washing/drying routine for Afro hair

• Pre-poo treatment - Applying a pre-poo treatment to all types of afro hair is essential as it’s almost impossible for the scalp’s naturally moisturising oils to travel from root to tip. A pre-poo treatment prevents more moisture from being lost during washing/drying. Apply and leave it in for at least 30 minutes.

• Massage in shampoo - Soak the hair with water, then massage the shampoo in, not forgetting all those hard-to-reach places. 

• Apply conditioner - Create 4 equal sections and clip them in place. Take each one down at a time and coat it in conditioner. 

• Grab a detangling brush - Start detangling the hair from the bottom to the top. Once you’ve finished a section, two strands twist it and move on to the next one until complete, then rinse.

• Leave-in conditioner - For extra moisture, apply a leave-in conditioner once you’re out of the shower. Here’s where you can add any styling products if you wish.

• Dry with a diffuser - Section the hair then place each one in the diffuser one at a time, lifting it as close to the scalp as you can. Repeat until the hair is completely dry.

• Finishing oil - Lastly, apply hair oil for added moisture and shine.