How to Take Care of Curly Hair: Washing & Moisturizing
Knowing how to take care of curly hair is a skill. Because every curl type, pattern and texture is unique, understanding just what strands need – and when, and why – can require a whole lot of trial and error. But it’s so worth every second of effort. Healthy, bouncy curls turn heads like no other look, whether they’re soft and loose, tight and textured or somewhere in between.
So, how do you take care of curly hair? These are the tips you and your client need to maintain the most radiant, nourished and voluptuous curls around…
Look Credit: @brianacisneros and @danielmbeauty
Look Credit: @romeufelipe
First, What are the Key Differences in Caring for Curly Hair Compared to Straight Hair?
1. Curly Hair May be Drier
Why exactly is curly hair prone to dryness? It’s partly down to how sebum travels from the follicles through to the tips. When the hair is straight, the journey is simple: the sebum moves from roots to ends with ease. But when it’s curly or coily, all of that essential, nourishing oil has to spiral down each ringlet to hydrate the full length. Because of this, curly hair sometimes needs a little extra help to feel hydrated through the lengths and ends. This means hair masks, hair balms and leave-in treatments are all must-haves in your curly client’s routine.
2. It Can Also Be More Fragile
Without an abundance of natural oils supporting and protecting curly strands, the hair may be more fragile. This means your client should take a gentle approach to caring for and styling their locks. Patience and a delicate touch are essential when washing and detangling curls, while silk scrunchies, silk pillowcases, the softest towels, and wide-tooth combs are also mainstays in their kit.
3. Frizz and Flyaways are Common
Frizz can happen to all hair types – straight, wavy, curly and coily – but there’s no denying that definition is an especially hot topic in the curly community. So, your client needs the very best frizz-defying products and techniques to enhance their hair pattern. Think moisturizing balms and lotions that temper flyaways to help each ringlet flaunt its flawless shape.
How Do You Wash Curly Hair?
Washing is the foundation of every curly hair routine. The shampoo your client uses – and how often they use it – determines just how beautifully defined their curls appear. So make sure you share these wash day tips with them…
1. Wash at Least Once Per Week
If your client’s curly hair is dry and their roots don’t get oily easily, they can stretch out the time between washes to ensure ringlets stay moisturized. However, they should make sure they’re lathering up at least once per week, so their scalp is clean and cared for. This may be all they need, while oilier hair types will want to shampoo their locks more often to maintain balance. It’s all about assessing how their curls look and feel from day to day, then finding a wash day routine that works for their unique hair type.
Image Credit: @danielmbeauty
2. Choose the Right Shampoo
Curly and coily haired clients may prefer to use a co-wash in place of traditional shampoo, as these creamy formulas help to lock in moisture and, in turn, texture definition. When this is the case, introduce them to the NutriCurls Cleansing Conditioner; a low-foam, luxurious cream that nourishes roots and lengths while rinsing impurities away.
They can also try a ‘curl cleansing cycle’, where they alternate between co-washing and traditional shampooing, so their scalp and lengths get a deeper (yet still gentle) cleanse to remove product build-up. So, on one wash day, they would care for curls with the NutriCurls Cleansing Conditioner, and on the next, they would use the ULTIMATE Repair Shampoo.
Why ULTIMATE REPAIR? Not only is the luxurious lather suitable for all hair types, but it’s also deeply replenishing – perfect for dry and fragile locks. The Shampoo features AHA to rebuild the hair shaft from the inside, plus a boost of Omega-9 to repair each strand’s outer layer for 12x smoother hair*. So, it’s giving curls a more thorough cleanse than a co-wash, when they need it, and still keeping frizz and flyaways at bay with intense nourishment.
3. Focus on the Scalp if Lengths are Dry
If the lengths of curly or coily hair are dry, focus shampoos and cleansing conditioners on the scalp. This way, you’re getting rid of any excess oil or sebum build-up without throwing the lengths off balance. The ends of hair will still get clean, as the lather will run through them when you rinse it out. Work in sections to ensure the whole of the scalp is fresh and purified.
4. Apply a Conditioner or Hair Mask
Your client doesn’t need to follow up a co-wash with a conditioner or hair mask, but traditional shampoos team perfectly with an added dose of care. So, after using ULTIMATE REPAIR Shampoo, apply ULTIMATE REPAIR Conditioner . It’s sumptuously rich to hydrate locks, yet rinses completely clean, so curls and coils feel bouncy and fresh. On hair wash days when ringlets crave extra moisture, they can swap in the NutriCurls Deep Treatment. Recommend they leave it on for up to five minutes, so the blend of Jojoba Oil and Panthenol can absorb and work its magic.
5. Detangle in the Shower
Detangling curly hair when it’s wet and product-free is a big no-no, as this is when those textured strands are at their most fragile. However, when hair is slick with a co-wash, a conditioner or a reparative mask, you can actually use your hands or a wide-tooth comb to work through knots without knocking out the texture. Start the process at the ends of the hair, carefully separating each tangle, and gradually move your way up to the hair shaft until you reach the root.
6. Gently Blot Hair Dry
Once your client has rinsed their hair clean, it’s time for them to dry their curls. Instead of using a rough towel for this step, they should reach for a microfiber towel or a clean, soft, cotton t-shirt. Then, rather than rubbing locks, which causes friction and – you guessed it – frizz, tell them to blot out the moisture. A very gentle scrunching motion will help curls dry off, while enhancing their shape.
7. Finish with a Leave-In Treatment
High porosity hair is common in curls, which means each strand can struggle to retain moisture. Those fragile ringlets may have gaps and tears along the cuticle that allow water and oils to escape. So, leave-in treatments are essential when caring for curly hair, as they stay on locks longer than rinse-out conditioners to provide deeper, lasting nourishment.
But not just any leave-in treatment will do. Look for one that rebuilds the hair from the inside out, like ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue. The revolutionary mist repairs hair damage in just 90 seconds*, while giving your client 12x smoother hair** with 99% less breakage**. Goodbye frizz, dryness and split ends. All your client has to do is spray it generously through their clean, damp hair, allow it to absorb for the full 90 seconds, then move on to their styling routine. Simple.
How Do You Keep Curly Hair From Frizzing?
The steps your client takes after washing their curls will make all the difference to their shape and texture. Help them find the right products to keep frizz at bay, and they’ll enjoy their healthiest, bounciest mane yet. First up, assess the texture and pattern of their curls...
Are their curls tight and coarse? Then they’ll want to use richer products. Think balms and creams that eradicate frizz while keeping shrinkage at bay. NutriCurls Curlixir Balm is the ideal consistency; intensely nourishing, so dry curls are defined, primed and bouncy, ready for blow-drying or protective styles.
Are their curls fine or medium textured? That means lighter formulas are best. Airy foams and mousses will give their hair hold and make flyaways vanish, all without dragging curls down. EIMI NutriCurls Boost Bounce is their go-to, designed specifically for curly locks that crave volume and shine. If their hair is ultra fine, the low-hold EIMI NutriCurls Soft Twirl is also a great choice.
How to Apply Curly Hair Products
It’s important you or your client apply frizz-defying styling products when the hair is still damp or wet from washing, so flyaways don’t get the chance to spring into place. How the product is applied is key. If enhancing the shape of curls is the goal, try gently scrunching in your mousse or balm to activate them. You don’t want to bend them out of shape, but you do want to tighten them up, so a delicate scrunch is needed, working section by section.
However, if you’re aiming to elongate curls, use the finger curl method. Twirl small sections of hair around your finger, then release downwards, taking care to follow the curl’s natural shape. Encourage your client to try both methods on different hair wash days to see what they prefer. One of the (many) benefits of working curls is how versatile they are; so many incredible styles are within your client’s reach.
How Can You Improve Natural Curls?
To improve and maintain their natural curls in between washes, your client will need to make some routine switch-ups – starting with dialing up moisture. Fine curls may not need extra hydration beyond hair wash day, but coarser and/or drier curls can benefit from nourishing top-ups. So, suggest that everyday or every other day they spritz in EIMI NutriCurls Fresh Up, a weightless mist with an anti-frizz effect that levels up definition. For enhanced nourishment, they can also use NutriCurls Milky Waves leave-in spray. It’s packed with Jojoba Oil, so tresses feel softer but still full of bounce. The lightest misting is enough to refresh crunchy curls.
On top of that, remind your client how important it is that they care for curls overnight. Their curl pattern can take a hit if they don’t protect it with the right sleep accessories. First up on their list is a silk pillowcase. Unlike cotton, it doesn’t absorb as much moisture out of the hair, and it also causes less friction. Cue less frizz and fewer flyaways. They might also want to try putting their hair in a pineapple. This protective style sees locks gathered at the top of the head and secured with a silk scrunchie, before a silk scarf or hair bonnet is wrapped over the top. If they follow this technique, remind them not to tie the scrunchie too tight. For a boost of moisture, they can also mist in NutriCurls Milky Waves just before the scarf goes on.
Looking for more ways to help your client care for their hair? Discover our complete collection of Hair Care Guides, featuring tips for every type and concern.
* When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue.
** When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue. Instrumental test versus non-conditioning shampoo.
