Whether your hair is straight or curly, long or short, I’m sure there’s something you want to change about it.
Naturally curly hair is beautiful when it behaves. It can also be a challenge to manage, condition, and style. Although my daughter is only four, I have learned a lot to help me in this journey.
The Blessing
My daughter has naturally curly hair. It’s beautiful. It’s different. It’s her.
The Curse
It requires a lot of care including shampooing, deep conditioning, leave-in treatments, daily styling, and daily conditioning. I don’t use the same chemicals in her hair that I might use in my own. I relax and color my hair. I normally wear my hair very short, so I am willing to take more risks with my hair, since it is cut every 4-6 weeks, removing any damage that might have been done.
Shampooing
As I research ways to care for her hair, I’m learning how hard it is to find reliable info when researching chemicals used in certain hair care products. I see and hear a lot about keeping it conditioned. I wonder what types of products to use? Of course, it needs to be cleaned of dirt and impurities, but I want to avoid stripping it of its natural oils. So, I read that I should avoid shampoos with certain chemicals like sulfates.
Conditioning
When conditioning, I’ve read that I should look for products to put moisture back into her hair to prevent tangles and dryness. Keratin hair treatments are said to straighten hair. When searching for keratin hair treatment information, I’m learning about the use of formaldehyde and other chemicals in some treatments. You can also check some excellent curly hair conditioner reviews.
While we still have some time before she may start asking to straighten her hair, I thought it would be best to be informed and prepared.
Since I’m so not a licensed cosmetologist, I defer to the following sources:
:: How to pick a shampoo and conditioner
:: Should you splurge (or save) on shampoos, conditioners?
Naturally curly hair is extremely dry, extremely fussy, and completely impossible to control. That being said, it is somewhat easier to manage if you’re using the right products.
– SHAMPOO: I recommend: L’oreal Ever series.
– CONDITIONER: I use Moisture Rich, Anti-Breakage, and Flawless Curls.
– MOUSSE: After you wash and condition your hair, which I recommend doing only every-other day and not every day or else your hair will dry out, you need to put on a finishing product.
As always, have a great day!
Thanks for these tips Emma!