Ladies, we’ve heard a lot of myths, suggestions and downright crazy things when it comes to maintaining healthy, naturally curly hair. Sorting through all of the tips and tricks out there can be a hassle, so we’ve done the work for you and compiled three tips to help your natural curls be their very best. Keep in mind, not all curls are created equal so some of these suggestions may work for some, and not for others! There’s no hard and fast rules when it comes to curl care and maintenance.
Tip 1: Don’t Be Afraid of Hair Grease: For our ladies with kinky natural hair, don’t be afraid to pick up the same grease your older sisters, aunts and mothers used. While some have called these products out for their petroleum jelly base as causing curly hair to dry out, this simply is not true. Petroleum jelly based hair grease works well for those with thicker coils by keeping moisture sealed in and offering protection against humidity. It’s a great product to use following a cream moisturizer for days of wearable curls.
Tip 2: Wash Those Curls: While most of us in the natural curl community can agree that daily washes can be damaging to curls by stripping their natural moisture and oils, don’t be afraid to lather up at least once a week or every few days as needed. Doing so allows your shampoo to remove harmful product build up from your scalp, which will ultimately help keep your scalp healthy. A healthy scalp means longer, happier and more vibrant curls. If you’re worried about sudsing up, use a sulfate free shampoo and follow with a soothing deep conditioner.
Tip 3: Protective Styling is Not a Necessity: Ladies, many of us have been told from a young age that in order to grow out long, healthy natural curls, you must braid it, twist it, cornrow it and use faux hair to protect your own. This is not necessarily true. While protective styling offers a lot of fun and trendy alternatives for your everyday styling, it can also lead to breakage along your hairlines, where curls are their finest. Overuse of protective styling can slow down growth in those areas.