Having curly hair is a blessing and a curse. It has texture and volume that other women struggle to achieve despite using heat tools and tons of products. However, it can also be a pain to maintain.
You cannot just go to a supermarket and grab whatever shampoo or conditioner is available. There are hair products that will take the life out of your crowning glory. For your reference, here are the must-have hair products for women who are proud of their curls:
Hair Gel
For girls with tightly-coiled curls, hair gel can hold the shape of your strands throughout the day. Over time, your hair may unravel and lose its definition. Using hair gel will prevent that from happening.
However, when buying hair gel, do not just pick up the first product you see. Hair gels tend to harden and become crunchy or flaky. You need a product that will help your mane maintain its shape throughout the day but also keep it soft and bouncy. Try Cantu Moisture Retention Styling Gel which has flaxseed and olive oil to keep your strands hydrated.
Gentle Shampoo
A common complaint among curly-haired girls is shampoos are often drying. The shampoos that you regularly see in grocery and drugstores can strip the natural oils that protect your strands, leaving your hair dry, frizzy, and damaged.
However, shampoos are still necessary to clean the hair of dirt and product residues. Next time you go shopping, look for shampoos that are gentle and moisturizing. There are shampoos that do not have sulfates, the ingredient in soaps that suds. Sulfates can make your hair prone to breakage.
Another option that is highly recommended by curly-haired girls is co-washing (conditioner washing) products. Instead of shampoo, you can use conditioner to cleanse your hair and keep your strands moisturized. You can get co-wash products from brands like Briogeo and Living Proof.
Live-In Conditioner
Frizz is often associated with curly hair. But, it does not have to be. Women with curly hair should always have a leave-in conditioner in their bags for days when the weather is making their mane look untamed.
Leave-in conditioners are infused with serums, creams, and milks — good stuff that nourishes your hair. The best part is, you do not have to wash it out. It will keep your hair looking and smelling good throughout the day as if you just stepped out of the shower.
However, as always, be careful of the leave-in conditioner that you use. Some have ingredients that may weigh down your hair. Look for products that are formulated for curly hair or only apply the leave-in conditioner on the ends of your hair.
Hair Mask
When you have curly hair, the natural oil your body produces struggle to reach the lengths and ends of your strands. The oil, instead, pools on your scalp. While the top of your head feels oily, your hair remains dry.
That is why it is important to use a hair mask at least once a week. A hair mask will give your hair the nourishment it needs to prevent dryness, brittleness, and frizziness. It functions like a conditioner, but it has more nutrients needed to keep your hair healthy and you are instructed to leave it on for a longer period of time.
You can purchase hair masks from anywhere they sell beauty products. Look for ones made for curly hair. Or, you can make your own hair mask that is free of potentially harmful ingredients at home.
Your curly hair needs care. You do not need to style it to make it look good. It already has volume and texture which other girls try to emulate. You only need to give your hair love.
