Curly hair differs from straight hair in many ways. For curls to be defined and bouncy, a different hair care routine and products are required. Here we share tips on habits and products for those with natural curls!
Why is hair curly?
It’s important to understand why hair is curly to care for it properly and not work against its nature.
- The shape of the hair follicle in the scalp determines the hair’s texture and form. The follicle is round in people with straight hair and oval in those with curly hair. The flatter the oval shape of the follicle, the curlier the hair.
- The angle of the hair follicle also matters. A straight hair follicle (vertical in the scalp) produces straight hair, while an angled hair follicle in the scalp produces curls.
- Curly hair has more sulfur bonds (disulfide bonds). Thanks to the hair’s shape, some parts of the hair come closer together, making these bonds form more easily.
Good routines for curly hair
It’s common for both wavy and curly hair to be fragile, dry, and frizzy. The reason is that the oil (sebum) produced by the scalp has difficulty spreading down to the hair ends due to the hair’s curly structure. Therefore, it’s especially important that your hair care routine is gentle while preserving moisture in the hair.
1. Wash your hair without sulfates
Sulfates are a collective term for cleansing agents (soap substances) that foam extra well and clean thoroughly. On skin and hair, they can be a bit too cleansing and especially very drying. Sulfates make hair flyaway, big, frizzy, and extremely dry. Therefore, choose a shampoo that is completely sulfate-free.
Feel free to read about reasons to choose a sulfate-free shampoo to learn more about sulfates in shampoos!
2. Wash your hair with cold water
Preferably wash your hair with cold water or at least lukewarm water. It bears repeating that hot water dries out your hair more than you think. Try gradually lowering the temperature. Your hair will thank you.
3. Brush your hair when it’s wet
Curly hair that is dry and brittle breaks easily when brushed. Therefore, brush your hair when it’s wet to reduce friction and frizz. Ideally, brush after applying conditioner. The hairbrush can then detangle hair more gently.
4. “Plop” your hair with a t-shirt
Terry towels have their merits. They can be heavenly soft and still cause a lot of damage, especially if the hair is already dry and brittle. No matter how gentle you are. It’s the very structure of the terry cloth that causes the damage.
Instead, try “plopping” your hair (plop in English). You need an old t-shirt (preferably large and long-sleeved). A microfiber cloth also works well. The trick is not to rub or twist the hair. The goal is to gather the hair into a pile on the crown for minimal damage and beautiful curls. Do as follows:
- Squeeze the water out of the hair.
- Optionally distribute moisturizing and nourishing products in the hair.
- Lay your t-shirt flat with the sleeves farthest from you.
- Turn your head down and place the hair tips in the middle of the t-shirt.
- Bend your head straight down so that the hair gathers into a pile in the middle of the t-shirt.
- Place the end of the t-shirt against your forehead and fold the sides to the nape.
- Hold the sides of the t-shirt at the nape.
- Grab the neckline (the other end of the t-shirt) and place it at the nape of your neck.
- Grab the sleeves and tie a knot at the front near your forehead.
- You may need to twist the sleeves before tying for a better fit.
- Let dry for 10-20 minutes or as long as needed.
Plopping is suitable if you want to reduce hair volume, get more prominent or defined and bouncier curls. Here is an example of how you can “plop” your hair.
5. Blow-dry with a diffuser
Heat is not good. When you do want to blow-dry your hair, you can use the diffuser attachment. The diffuser lifts and hugs your curls while drying. The hair doesn’t tangle and is therefore less damaged. Don’t forget to always use heat protection before you start blow-drying.
6. Sleep with a braid
Try braiding your hair before going to bed. It prevents tangling during sleep and protects it from damage. Take the opportunity to nourish your hair with leave-in conditioner or hair oil before braiding.
Hair care products for curly hair
The best products for curly hair are those that provide maximum moisture and nourishment without making the hair greasy or heavy. Naturally, you should avoid overly rich products if you have fine hair and use sufficiently nourishing products if you have thicker hair.
Sulfate-free shampoos for curly hair
- Most people with thick and curly hair love Brun's Shampoo no. 02.
- Rahua Classic Shampoo is also often a big favorite for those with curly hair.
- For those who travel a lot or want to reduce plastic use, we recommend Lovely Lavender Shampoo from Grön Lycka.
Conditioner for fine curls
If you use more conditioner than shampoo and the hair still constantly feels dry, you can try washing your hair with conditioner according to the conditioner method. Yes, it works and the hair gets clean.
Read more about the conditioner method.
If all conditioners feel insufficient, you can also try different leave-in conditioners. The moisture in the hair is sealed in and the curls stay soft and shiny.
Hair rinse for less frizz and more shine
Hair rinse has an acidic pH and is good to use instead of shampoo if the hair rarely gets dirty but just dry. It’s also great to rinse the hair now and then (e.g., after shampooing) to dissolve buildup, reduce frizz, and make the hair shiny and healthy.
Hair oils suitable for curly hair
Jojoba oil and coconut oil are the plant-based oils most popular for curly hair. Argan oil and camellia oil are also favored by those with finer hair. Camellia oil is excellent when you want an oil that doesn’t look greasy in the hair. Hair oil can be used in many different ways to lock in moisture and nourish the hair strands.
Here’s how you can use hair oil for curly hair:
- As a pre-wash treatment before shampooing.
- A few drops in your conditioner for extra care.
- Distribute in damp hair after washing for extra shine and to define curls.
- Distribute a few drops in the hair to immediately reduce frizz.
- Distribute a few drops in braided or tied-up hair.
- Distribute in the hair for an intensive hair treatment.
Protect from heat, style, and define the curls
Do you have fine to medium-thick hair with natural waves that feels straight and frizzy? Then you can get more resilient hair and more elastic curls with the right products.
Watch out for alcohol in styling products (gel, mousse, and spray) that can dry out your hair. For soft and manageable curls, we recommend plenty of moisture and nourishment.
Squeeze out the curls with Bruns Hair Soufflé and use Bruns hair mask regularly. The hair mask can also be used as a styling cream to define and protect the curls. These products also provide some heat protection when using a hairdryer or straightener. For regular blow-drying, we recommend Logona's blow-dry spray or Bruns protection as heat protection. Bruns also has a salt cream that is an "all-around" styling product and heat protection suitable for all hair types and lengths.
Also read about how you can take care of your blonde hair, especially if it is damaged and broken after bleaching!
