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Having curly hair may sometimes feel too much like hard work, but get it right and your crowning glory is the object of desire of everyone who sees you. Curly hair gives volume, personality and sass – something you cannot replicate with any other style of hair. Whether you’re the proud owner of a fro, a perm or a hard to handle mop – follow these tips (thanks to the Knowledge at the Telegraph!) and see if you can own your curls, not the other way round.
Go with the ‘fro
Women with curly hair are constantly made to feel as if they need to have straight hair, and yet, if done properly, naturally curly hair can look fabulous. We’re so used to beating it down with a hairbrush and heavily shampooing it that it ends up going frizzy. Your curls aren’t going to go away, so the first thing to do is embrace them and adjust your mindset.
Eschew the shampoo
Don’t use shampoo in the shower, just a conditioner. It’s a big change from what you are probably used to, but the detergents in shampoo – even sulphate-free ones – strip hair of all its moisture, and curly hair is always begging for moisture. You may think you need shampoo to clean your hair but you don’t. Once your hair is wet, apply conditioner and massage it into your scalp. It’s all in the way you clean your hair with your fingers – if there’s any debris or dirt that will lift it.
Pile on the conditioner
Hydrated hair is key for defined, glossy curls. Once you’ve cleaned your hair with conditioner (we recommend Davines Essential Haircare LOVE / Conditioner – Lovely Curl Enhancing Conditioner), apply a second lot to give it extra moisture. Curly hair is like a sponge – it will soak it all up. Run your fingers through your hair, from root to tip. Then tip your head over and squeeze out the conditioner, without rinsing. Your hair will spring into shape.
Forget the towel
After you have washed your hair, don’t towel-dry it, as that will only cause your hair to frizz. Instead tilt your head forward and, using paper towels, squeeze upwards gently towards the scalp. This will get rid of any excess water. Then shake your head and let your hair fall into its natural parting. This will make it much easier to work with.
Gel head
To style curly hair, use a gel while the hair isn’t fully dried. As a rule, if the gel is too sticky in your hands it will look sticky in your hair. Try a formula that has hold but is easy to work with. I always put my gel in the fridge before I use it, as the colder the gel is, the more impact it will have. Take a generous amount and rub it between your palms. Then apply from the back of the head, by the top of the neck, and squeeze it in through your lengths. The biggest mistake women make is applying the gel directly to the front of their hair, which just ends up making it look crunchy.
Ready to go
If you’re drying your hair naturally, grab a few kirby-grips, lift some hair and dot them around the crown of the head, at the scalp. When your hair is dry and you remove the grips you will get a nice shape with a bit of lift. If you’re using a hairdryer, a diffuser nozzle will distribute heat evenly. An old-fashioned hood dryer is amazing, too, if you can get one.