Whether you’ve been rocking your natural curls for years or are new to the curl care game, you need to know how to get the best wash day ever. A great wash day can make or break your curl care for the week and we are huge fans of getting things right the first time. Check out these tips for getting the most out of wash day. Don’t forget to write in and tell us which of these tips you’ve liked best and what you’d recommend to fellow curly girls.
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What You Need to Know For the Best Wash Day Ever
Prepoo: Before you even think about washing those curls, make sure you prepoo for a minimum of one hour. Use a good quality oil like coconut oil or jojoba to add necessary moisture before cleansing. Apply it warm throughout your strands, and then allow it to sit, covered, for at least an hour. If you’d like, you can also apply heat to help soften your curls and allow the oil to more deeply penetrate into the cuticle.
Prep: When you’re ready to start cleansing, make sure you reach for a sulfate and paraben free shampoo. Try to opt for a gentle, organic, or all natural shampoo to avoid harmful ingredients that could cause you more grief than they’re worth. Section your curls into 4 or more sections, depending on your curl’s length and density. Wash each section, focusing on the roots, to cleanse those curls. Use your fingertips to work the shampoo into your scalp in small, even circles. This will help break up dandruff, product, and excess oil, as well as promote circulation. Allow the shampoo to rinse through your strands, but don’t scrub the lower part of your curls.
Detangle: The best time to detangle curls is when they are wet. Utilizing the sections you already created, work through tangles one by one. You can use a little more oil or conditioner if you need help. Don’t yank or tear at snarls or tangles, as this can caught breakage.
Condition: Depending on your curl type and needs, you may not need to deep condition every wash day, but you should do it regularly. Apply a hydrating deep conditioner from mid shaft to tips, focusing on any dry areas. Tuck your curls under a plastic cap and apply heat for 25-30 minutes to allow the conditioner to penetrate.
Rinse: Rinse your curls with cool or lukewarm water to help close down the cuticle and retain moisture. Apply a leave in conditioner and style.
Moisturize: On your in between days, make sure to add regular moisture to your curls and use an oil to seal in that necessary hydration. You can do this by utilizing a curl refreshing spray. There are a ton available on the market, or you can create your own right at home. If you’re experiencing particularly dry curls, a leave in conditioner is also a great choice for refreshing your curls between wash days. Depending on your type of curls, select an oil that will help seal but won’t drag your strands down. For example, thicker, kinkier coils can often stand up to a heavier oil, while finer waves would need a lighter oil, or none at all.