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Curls have no gender, meaning you may need to learn a different kind of styling technique and regimen for your kids’ curls, depending on how they want to wear their hair. But styling aside, some tried and true methods work no matter how you or your kids wear their hair because your kids’ curls have a lot of the same rules as adult curls, such as:
- Always style wet
- Never brush dry
- Don’t wash it every day
- Keep it moisturized
Aside from those basics, it’s all about learning to care for curls that are probably much different than your own (especially since curl patterns can change as you age).
First, Learn How To Care for Their Hair
Every curl is unique, so it’s important to remember that when it comes to your kids, their hair care needs may differ from yours because they may not have the same curl type or porosity. Determining their curl pattern and hair porosity first will make the next steps a lot easier.
Image Source: @the.orji.family
Just like your curls, your kids’ curls don’t need to be washed every single day, and setting up a routine with them can help them know what to expect for their curls as they get older. Still, summertime means extra sweat, dirt, chlorine, and who knows what else, so you might want to wash their hair a little more often during the hot summer months.
To care for your kids’ curls the right way, you may have to be more selective about the products you use. Sometimes, kids’ line hair products work, and sometimes, they don’t. And just like it took time and patience to learn how to care for your curls, it may take time, patience, and some trial and error before you find the right products for your kids’ curls.
Find a Curl Specialist Near You
If your kids’ curls are much different than yours (especially if you don’t have any curls yourself), finding a curl specialist near you who specializes in their specific hair texture can be a huge game changer. Not only is this a great way to help them learn to love their own natural curls, but it can also be a great learning opportunity for you.
By paying attention to the curl specialist’s technique and recommended products and taking notes for reference, you can learn much about properly caring for your kids’ curls at home.
Keep Your Kids’ Curl Care Regimen Simple
Image Source: @oliviacollins_
While it can definitely be fun to play around with different styles, techniques, and products, the simpler their daily hair care routine is, the better. Kids love to laugh and play and often pay no mind to their hair once it’s done for the day. There’s no need to layer products and use fancy styling techniques when they will likely have too much fun throughout the day to remember not to touch or mess it up.
And that’s not even considering that summers mean pools, sweat, and tons of sun most days. So, when caring for your curly kids’ hair in the summer, your two biggest goals should be heat and humidity protection.
Depending on where you live and your environment, that can look like a simple moisturizing leave-in conditioner or a hydrating cream followed by a gel, custard, or moose to keep everything in place. Or something completely different – all curls and curl needs are unique.
Products and Accessories to Help Care for Your Kids’ Curly Hair
Products and accessories can easily make or break any curly hair care routine. But when it comes to your kids’ curls, less is more (especially during those hot summer months!). Our top three must-haves for keeping your kids’ curls healthy all summer are leave-in conditioners, a good hair gel, and satin pillowcases.
Leave-In Conditioners Make Your Life Easy
Whether you’re in a rush or simply don’t have the energy to deal with a multi-step curl care routine, leave-in conditioners will become your new best friend. Not only are they ultra moisturizing, but they can also be used as stylers depending on your kids’ curl type.
Some of our favorite leave-in conditioners for kids’ curls are:
- Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen and Restore Leave-In Conditioner
- Aussie Conditioner Leave-In Kids Curly
- The Mane Choice Fruit Medley Detangling Kids Leave-In Conditioner
- Cantu Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream with Argan Oil
- Taliah Waajid for Children Tangles Out Today Leave-in Conditioner
Hair Gel is Your Saving Grace and Humidity’s Worst Nightmare
Aside from maintaining healthy, moisturized hair, hair gel is key to fighting humidity year round, but especially during those hot and humid summer months. In our experience, the best gels are the ones that give you a lasting hold after drying and scrunching, such as:
- Aunt Jackie’s Baby Curls Moisture Rich Curling & Twisting Custard
- Moptop Curly Hair Gel for Fine, Thick, Wavy, Curly & Kinky-Coily Hair, Anti Frizz Moisturizer
- Curly Kids Mixed Texture Curly Gel Moisturizer
- Ecoco Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel
Satin Pillowcases Fight Frizz All Night Long
While they probably look adorable in a cute little silk bonnet or wrap, keeping your kids’ curls contained while they sleep is more or less a losing battle. Instead, skip protected hair wraps entirely and opt for some nice satin pillowcases.
They’re easy to wash, easy to use, and best of all minimize how frizzy your kids’ curls are in the morning no matter how much they toss and turn at night. Plus your kids will feel a lot cooler in the summer heat without something wrapped around their head.
Do you have a go-to tip or trick for caring for your kids’ curls in the summer? Let us know in the comments!
Low porosity hair means that your hair cuticle is more interlocked and better at keeping moisture in. However, having a tightly formed cuticle also means it can be harder to get moisture into your hair, and your hair is more likely to create product buildup, especially from high protein products. Unfortunately, there are just some things you can’t, or shouldn’t, do when you have low porosity hair.
Image Source: @curlsidoadore_
So, when it comes to shampooing low-porosity hair, that step should not be missed or subbed for constant co-washing. Shampooing helps combat product buildup but also helps open your hair cuticles so the moisturizing agents in your conditioner can sink in.
This is exactly what makes clarifying shampoos an essential product for anyone and everyone with low-porosity hair.
Clarifying Shampoos Are A Staple For Low Porosity Hair
Image Source: @haircarewithsomya
Low-porosity hair is especially prone to product buildup because the tight-knit cuticle layer not only prevents moisture from entering the hair shaft but can also keep hair products from passing through the outer layer as well. So, instead of penetrating your hair, products often just sit on top of the cuticle.
Unless you clarify, product buildup just becomes another barrier preventing your hair from soaking in moisture. When it comes to low-porosity hair care, there are a few things you should know.
Do All Clarifying Shampoos Have Sulfates?
Although sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate are two of the most common and harshest surfactants – they aren’t the only surfactants available in clarifying shampoos. While sulfates might be fine for some, for others, sulfates can be too harsh and dry on your hair. So, for those with low porosity hair who’d rather avoid sulfates, we’ve gathered a roundup of clarifying shampoos just for you.
For example, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate and Acetic Acid (Apple Cider Vinegar) are two of the most common sulfate-free cleansing agents in clarifying shampoos. While most are gentle enough to use as a great daily or weekly cleanser, some should be used a little more sparingly.
1. Bounce Curl Gentle Clarifying Shampoo
Pomegranate & Pumpkin enzymes gently exfoliate your hair and scalp without overly drying, making Bounce Curl a great option for everyday cleansing. Plus it uses Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, a mild coconut oil derived surfactant, as its cleansing agent.
Gentle enough for daily/weekly use? Yes
2. HairStory’s New Wash
With a mixture of various surfactant agents, including Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, and Acetic Acid HairStory’s new clarifying shampoo is perfect for low porosity hair. Thanks to the multiple cleansing ingredients that remove buildup and excess sebum from both your hair follicles and your pores.
Gentle enough for daily/weekly use? Yes
3. Alikay Naturals Moisturizing Black Soap Shampoo
A quality, gentle, clarifying shampoo that’s great for cleansing your low-porosity hair of product and sebum buildup after taking down a protective hairstyle. Using Potash and Melaleuca Alternifolia Oil (Tea Tree Oil) as natural cleansing agents that can be applied directly to the scalp.
Gentle enough for daily/weekly use? Yes
4. Creme of Nature Argan Oil Apple Cider Vinegar Clarifying Rinse
Thanks to the powerful properties of Apple Cider Vinegar, this clarifying rinse makes a great weekly shampoo replacement or post-shampoo treatment to help seal your hair cuticles. Note: while this rinse is great for combatting product buildup, it may not be the best product to use before a deep condition, thanks to the closed cuticles.
Gentle enough for daily/weekly use? Yes
5. SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo
This clarifying shampoo is gentle enough for those who color or heat style their low-porosity hair but just powerful enough to cleanse your scalp of product buildup using Castor Oil and Apple Cider Vinegar. Although, those who are protein-sensitive should use it sparingly, as it has multiple high-protein ingredients.
Gentle enough for daily/weekly use? Maybe
6. Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Scalp Treatment
Unlike the other clarifying shampoos on this list, Briogeo Scalp Revival is designed to be used after your shower on clean, conditioned hair. Thanks to Binchotan Charcoal and Melaleuca Alternifolia Oil (Tea Tree Oil), your scalp will feel clean and revitalized. However, the strength of the treatment may dry out your scalp if used too often.
Gentle enough for daily/weekly use? No
7. Girl+Hair CLEAR+ Apple Cider Vinegar Clarifying Rinse
Packed with Acetic Acid and Hydrogenated Castor Oil (so much so that they’re listed as the second and third ingredients), this clarifying rinse removes product buildup. It helps restore the pH balance of your hair and scalp.
This rinse adds great to your cleansing routine after removing extensions or removing a protective style. However, those with low-porosity hair who are also sensitive to protein should be wary of using it too often, as it contains both Hydrolyzed Rice Protein and Hydrolyzed Keratin.
Gentle enough for daily/weekly use? Maybe
OUR EDITORS INDEPENDENTLY SELECT ALL PRODUCTS FEATURED ON NATURALLYCURLY. HOWEVER, WE MAY EARN AN AFFILIATE COMMISSION WHEN YOU BUY SOMETHING THROUGH OUR RETAIL LINKS.
Hair porosity is one of those things that doesn’t seem important until it is, especially if you’re starting out your curl journey. Because moisture levels are so important for curly hair, your hair porosity plays a big part, especially if you have high porosity hair.
What is high porosity hair?
Image Source: @lyssamariexo
Unlike low-porosity hair, which can actually repel moisture, high-porosity hair can absorb moisture fairly easily. However, since its cuticles are lifted, it can also lose moisture just as easily if you’re not careful. Porosity levels are also among the highest perpetrators of frizzy hair and tangles.
What causes high porosity?
Your hair’s porosity levels can be genetic or the result of how you care for your hair. For example, Chemical and heat damage can create high porosity hair by damaging and separating your cuticles.
If this sounds like you, we’ve gathered a roundup of a few protein treatments that can help restore some of your hair’s strength, making it a little less likely to lose moisture (resulting in breakage and frizz).
Why do you need a protein treatment?
Image Source: @aprilbasi
Your hair is made up of proteins called keratins which can be damaged by sun exposure, environmental pollutants, poor hair care, chemical treatments, and heat tools. High porosity hair, specifically, is at a higher risk of damage because the hair cuticles don’t snap together tightly, leaving the hair follicle at a greater risk of damage.
By molding hydrolyzed proteins (large protein molecules that have been broken down into smaller particles) directly to the outer layer of your hair follicle, protein treatments help solidify the spaces and gaps between the hair cuticles. This smooths them out and decreases the damage and moisture loss your hair can experience.
This is also why some protein treatments are designed with high-porosity hair in mind.
But do protein treatments have silicones?
Some do, some don’t. Whether you like silicones in your products is often a personal choice. Silicones can have a place in your hair care products if you want them to, but they can also be pretty easy to avoid if you’d rather go silicone-free. Whatever you prefer, we’ve listed a few silicone and silicone-free products below.
1. Ma Browns Protein Steam Treatment Rinse
This deep moisturizing treatment is perfect for high-porosity hair and is full of natural vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants to nourish, strengthen, and repair dry, damaged, processed hair. To leave your hair soft and moisturized, apply it to clean, wet hair for at least 20-40 minutes (no heat required) before rinsing.
Silicone free? Yes
2. Aphogee Two-Step Protein Treatment
Unfortunately, high-porosity hair has a higher chance of damage and breakage than low-porosity hair. With that in mind, Aphogee developed a two-step process to strengthen overprocessed and chemically damaged hair—one that can even be used as a pre-treatment for coloring. However, the process is a little different than other treatments, so follow the directions closely.
Silicone free? Yes
3. Palmers Coconut Oil Formula Deep Conditioning Protein Pack
Formulated with hydrolyzed keratin and hydrolyzed silk, these disposable deep-conditioning protein packs can be used as a weekly in-shower treatment after shampooing. They’re also packed with beneficial oils to leave your hair feeling soft and hydrated.
Silicone free? No
4. tgin Miracle RepaiRx Curl Protein Reconstructor
This Miracle RepaiRX CPR Protein Treatment is great for helping to restore protein in hair and smooth out the hair cuticle. This can be used every 4-6 weeks to help reduce breakage and shedding and prevent split ends.
Silicone free? Yes
5. ORS HAIRestore Hair Mayonnaise
Made with Whole Egg Protein, this intensive treatment mask makes a great addition to your weekly hair care routine. All you need to do is apply it to wet hair cover with a cap and heat for approximately 15 minutes, or you can leave it on for 45 minutes to an hour before rinsing if you don’t have heat available.
Silicone free? No
6. SheaMoisture Hair Mask – Manuka Honey & Yogurt, Hydrate + Repair Protein Power Treatment
Shea Moisture is bringing the heat with this delicious blend of manuka honey, yogurt extract, and mafura oil to help repair damage from over-processed hair. They state that one use of this protein treatment can drastically reduce breakage by 76%.
Silicone free? No
7. Aphogee Curlific! Texture Treatment
Made with Hydrolyzed Quinoa, a natural protein, and Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein PG-Propyl, a vegetable protein and silicone blend, this high porosity hair protein treatment will be used in the shower after shampooing. By leaving it on for just a minute, you can improve your hair’s elasticity and eliminate hair loss from breakage.
Silicone free? No
8. Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask
Designed to repair dry, damaged hair, this weekly treatment is scientifically proven to double the strength of your hair after just three uses. This mask functions both as an in-shower deep conditioner when left on for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing or as a weekly deep condition under a cap and heat before rinsing.
Silicone free? Yes
9. Curl Junkie Repair Me! Reconstructive Hair Treatment
With a light, tropical coconut scent, this once-a-month treatment will help fill in those gaps between your high-porosity hair cuticles with a major dose of protein powder. You can apply it to wet hair and leave it in for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing or go for a deeper treatment by adding a cap and some heat to leave your hair ultra-moisturized.
Silicone free? Yes
Do you use protein treatments in your hair routine? Let us know your favorite in the comments.
OUR EDITORS INDEPENDENTLY SELECT ALL PRODUCTS FEATURED ON NATURALLYCURLY. HOWEVER, WE MAY EARN AN AFFILIATE COMMISSION WHEN YOU BUY SOMETHING THROUGH OUR RETAIL LINKS.
Frizz is the bane of every naturally curly person’s existence. It can turn an amazing hair day into a disaster in seconds, much to your frustration. But what is hair frizz exactly? And why does it only happen sometimes but not other times?
Hair frizz happens when your hair doesn’t align with the surrounding curls, causing it to appear out of place and creating an irregular texture or pattern. Frizz can happen for a number of reasons, including the current weather and climate, hair damage, improper care, and, sadly, even genetics.
Your hair is naturally porous, meaning it is attracted to moisture. And when it comes to humidity, there’s not much you can do to control the weather. That means your hair will try to absorb as much water as possible from the air around you until it swells and separates from the rest of your curls, creating frizz.
To combat this, we’ve created a list of easy-to-follow tips to keep your hair as frizz-free as possible.
1. Don’t Wash Your Hair Every Day (It Doesn’t Need It)
Of course, everyone’s hair and scalp are different, but generally, when it comes to curls, washing your hair daily can do more harm than good. Curls especially need the natural oils in your scalp to stay healthy and moisturized, and by washing your hair too often, you’re stripping your hair of necessary oils. This can also lead to dandruff and other types of scalp irritation. How often you wash your hair depends on your lifestyle and needs, but many people find that once or twice a week (or even a month) is all your hair needs.
2. You Don’t Need To Shampoo Your Hair Every Time You Wash It
As we mentioned above, shampoo is a product that cleanses your scalp and strips it of dirt and oils. But there’s a difference between washing your hair to revitalize it and washing it to cleanse it. So, if your hair isn’t dirty, skip the shampoo, stick to your conditioner, and co-wash your hair instead.
Image Source: @cays_curls
3. Rinse Out Your Conditioner, But Don’t Use The Shower Head
Tipping your head back under the shower to rinse out your conditioner can over-rinse it. We know this might sound ridiculous (since that’s exactly how a shower usually works), but bear with us.
The whole reason you apply conditioner to your hair in the first place is to soften and hydrate it, and by allowing the water pressure from your shower head to rinse it out, you’re rinsing all of it out (as if it was never even there). You’re likely applying a leave-in conditioner or hair mask to your routine, which makes no sense.
So, instead of over-rinsing your hair, try pouring a cup of water over your head and scrunching your hair up until there’s no conditioner left on your hands. Your hair will feel amazingly soft and moisturized, and you might even find that you can cut down on your weekly or monthly deep conditioner.
4. More Moisture = Less Frizz
Whether that means swapping your conditioner for a more moisturizing formula or adding a weekly (or monthly) deep conditioner to your hair care routine, the key here is to keep your hair as hydrated as possible. Because happy, hydrated curls won’t look for moisture in the air.
5. Get a Dry Cut
Image Source: @itshif3licia
As anyone with naturally curly hair will tell you, your curls (and overall length) look completely different when they’re dry versus when you wet your hair down. If your stylist cuts and shapes your hair when wet, it will look different when it dries. Thanks to the inevitable shrinkage and the slightly different curl types across your head, your hair can appear more frizzy than it is because the curls are no longer uniform. If you go to an experienced curl stylist, they can determine whether your curl type should be cut wet or dry or a combination of the two.
6. Never Dry Your Hair With A Regular Towel
Regular bath towels absorb far too much moisture, and as we mentioned a number of times above, moisture is key to maintaining healthy, frizz-free curls. Instead of using your normal towel, try opting for microfiber towels, flour sack towels, or even a 100% cotton t-shirt. And never wring or rub your hair dry.
7. Hair Gel Can Create A Stronger Hold
Hair gel is not a one-size-fits-all kind of product. But thankfully, curl products have expanded enough to create different formulas for different kinds of curls. Hair porosity, curl health, and your environment can all determine whether a hair gel is too heavy or light for your curls. And while this can take some trial and error, once you find the right kind of gel for your hair you can try applying it a little extra so your curls will stay in place without frizz. Then, don’t forget to break the cast by scrunching out the crunch.
8. Try Diffusing Before You Go Outside
If it’s especially humid, air drying your curls probably isn’t the best idea. Even when you do everything you can during the washing and styling process to ensure they’re moisturized, your hair will still be attracted to the humidity in the air (even if it’s already wet), lifting from your curls and creating frizz. To combat this, try diffusing your hair until it’s completely dry before leaving the house. This should give you your best chance of achieving a good hold and decreasing frizz.
Image Source: @mor.rales
9. Don’t Brush Dry Hair
We’ve all done it once – and immediately swore never to do it again. Not only does brushing dry curls create a boatload of frizz, but it is severely unhealthy for your hair. There are scenarios where some naturals may choose to detangle their hair when it’s dry, but not when styling. By brushing dry curls, you’re breaking up the curl pattern (and often the hair itself). Instead, always brush any tangles in the shower with conditioner or when your hair is wet and has a detangler in it.
10. Use Anti-Humectants To Fight Humidity
Anti-humectants can be the saving grace for curly hair in the fight against humidity. In short, anti-humectants help protect your curls from absorbing the moisture in the air and creating frizz. While they often contain silicones (which are not water soluble), some other anti-humectant ingredients include beeswax, shea butter, palm oil, and ester.
11. Once Your Hair Is Styled, Don’t Touch It
We know resisting can be hard, especially when your hair looks so good, but you just can’t touch it. The more you touch it and play with your curls, the more you disrupt their curl pattern – causing them to stack on top of each other and create frizz.
12. Sleep In A Bonnet And / Or On A Satin Pillowcase
Image Source: @sassyhaircap
Unlike cotton, silk creates much less friction against your hair, making it the best choice for pillowcases, bonnets, and hair wraps. Your curls will be thanking you in the morning when all you have to do is a little refresh to have them looking their best.
13. A Haircut is Key
Split ends are the beginning of frizz, so stop them before they start by getting your curls trimmed every 6-8 weeks. Shrinkage can be even greater in humidity, so take that into consideration when choosing the length of your next cut. You can find inspiration for your next haircut with these 18 best haircuts for curly hair.
14. Apply Styling Products to Dripping Wet Hair
Add products to your hair while it’s still wet. A good place to start is a gοοԁ leave-іn conditioner. Always υѕе conditioner liberally аftеr washing, directly οn уουr damp hair, paying special attention tο the ends. Aftеr applying thе leave-іn conditioner, apply serum evenly, mаkіnɡ sure еνеrу curl іѕ coated. Thеѕе steps, plus deep conditioning weekly, ѕhουƖԁ ɡеt rid οf frizz.
15. Cut Down on Heat
Using a curling wand to spot treat frizzy curls may give you the definition you’re looking for in the short term, but in the long term this can lead to frizz and a loss of curl pattern. The heat from styling tools, such as hair dryers, curling irons, flat irons or hot rollers, can zap your hair of moisture and cause heat damage, which leads to more frizz. Try to keep the use of these hot styling tools to a minimum. When a flat iron or hair dryer is a must, use a heat protectant to minimize the damage.
This article has been updated from it’s original publishing date in 2022.
1. Maui Moisture Heal & Hydrate + Shea Butter Conditioner
Don’t let the “For Dry, Damaged Hair” label fool you, this silicone free budget friendly conditioner will leave your hair feeling soft as silk, no matter how it started. While it pairs well with the Maui Moisture Heal & Hydrate Shampoo, you can use it after your favorite shampoo as well.2. OGX Renewing + Argan Oil of Morocco Conditioner
With the powerfully moisturizing and protecting properties of argan oil, this conditioner focuses on strengthening and improving your hair’s elasticity. And of course, the fresh citrus and floral scent will leave your hair smelling amazing. Plus, it works wonders as a heat styling protectant.3. Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner
Highly moisturizing and reparative, the Olaplex Maintenance Conditioner helps rejuvenate and strengthen your hair with each use. Made for all hair types and perfect for color treated hair, this conditioner can add moisture to your locks without weighing them down.4. Shea Moisture Restorative Conditioner
As all Shea Moisture products are, this silicone free conditioner is designed to infuse your curls with the moisture they so desperately need. And the perfect solution to treat transitioning curls, especially from chemical and/or heat damage.
5. Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Super Moisture Conditioner
For those with a protein sensitivity, this protein-free daily conditioner might be just what you need. Safe for color, keratin, chemically-treated, and relaxed hair, Briogeo also decreases your rate of hair breakage after just two uses.6. Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Moisturizing Conditioner
Designed to prevent breakage and strengthen your hair, this conditioner provides a powerfully superior slip, making it the obvious choice for anyone who let life, and the tangles in their hair, get away from them.7. Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Conditioner
Easily one of the best budget conditioners, Maui Moisture Curl Quench focuses on defining and enhancing thick curly hair. Rich in coconut oil and papaya butter, this conditioner all but fuses moisture right into your curls. Plus it is silicone-free and safe for color treated hair.8. Not Your Mother’s Naturals Tahitian Gardenia Flower & Mango Butter Curl Defining Conditioner
This lightweight, silicone-free conditioner is perfect for anyone with fine hair who wants to hydrate their locks without weighing them down. Providing naturally derived ingredients with just the right amount of slip, this budget friendly conditioner helps enhance and define your curls.
9. OUAI Thick Hair Conditioner
A bit on the pricier side, this ultra luxurious conditioner is especially designed for thick, curly hair. With marshmallow root, avocado oil, and shea butter, and hydrolyzed keratin, your tangles will slip right out as if they were never there. Plus, with hydrolyzed keratin, OUAI may be a great daily conditioner for anyone who wants to pack some extra protein in their hair.10. Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Conditioner
Made with silk protein and neem oil, this conditioner provides intense hydration and works wonders on thick, curly hair. It is lightweight enough that it won’t weigh your hair down but thick enough to moisturize, detangle, and help keep your hair frizz-free.11. Carol’s Daughter Goddess Strength Fortifying Conditioner
Packed with castor oil and black seed oil, this fortifying conditioner excels at restoring strength and moisture to weak, brittle hair. Delivering 94% less breakage and 15 times stronger hair in just one use, this might be the conditioner for those struggling to recover from chemical and heat damage.12. Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Shea Conditioner
A little pricier than some of the other conditioners on this list, Briogeo Curl Charisma makes up for it by packing their conditioner with rice amino acids to keep you frizz free and a variety of extracts to keep the moisture right where it belongs: in your cuticle. Add in the powerfully hydrating properties of shea butter and you have one powerhouse conditioner.
13. Camille Rose Jansyn’s Moisture Max Conditioner
Just as the name suggests, this conditioner focuses solely on moisturizing your hair by using coconut milk, aloe vera juices, cocoa butter, jojoba oil, and nine different oils to leave it feeling soft and silky. This conditioner is also a great choice for anyone with protein sensitivity, as it doesn’t include any protein rich ingredients.14. Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Conditioner
Falling somewhere in the middle pricewise, this moisturizing conditioner helps detangle and define your curls while creating a uniform curl formation. Your daily fight with tangled hair will be a thing of the past thanks to the slip this hydrating formula provides.15. Curlsmith Shine Conditioner
Perfect for anyone with a fragrance sensitivity, this fragrance-free super gentle conditioner has a lightweight smoothing and detangling formula. Plus as the name suggests, it creates an intense amount of shine.16. Trader Joe’s Nourish Spa Conditioner
Rosemary oil, organic Valencia orange citrus, mango, lemongrass, ginko biloba, enhinacea, willow bark, and other amazing ingredients make this ultra-nourishing and super cheap conditioner a hit among curlies. Dry hair is replenished and given all the moisture it needs to stay healthy.
17. Suave Naturals Tropical Coconut Conditioner
Infused with coconut oil and vitamin E, this tropical coconut conditioner will restore moisture to your dry, brittle hair while filling the air with a lush coconut scent.18. EDEN BodyWorks JojOba Monoi Revitalizing Conditioner
Get revitalized strands with this ultra-moisturizing botanical conditioner that will penetrate your hair from root to tip. Gain silkier hair that’s full of body without breaking the bank.19. TRESemme Flawless Curls Moisturizing Conditioner
Get optimal curl hydration, softness, and a frizz reduction from this hard-working moisturizing conditioner. Feel softer strands and see the movement all for a super perfect price of just $6.89 for 28oz.20. tgin Triple Moisture Replenishing Conditioner
Curlies love tgin (Thank God It’s Natural”> for its quality ingredients at an affordable price. This conditioner smoothes hair after cleansing, leaving even dry or damaged hair feeling easier to manage for styling. This article has been updated with new products.
On its own high porosity hair can be a challenge. But during the summer? With all that heat and humidity? It can be a downright disaster to maintain because let’s face it: high porosity hair loves humidity and we do not.
Even so, if you can get ahead of the curve by making sure your hair is healthy and hydrated, you just might be able to keep it from crying out for moisture all day long.
High Porosity Hair is Especially Prone to Humidity
Your hair porosity is determined by the state of the cuticles along your hair follicles, and therefore how “porous” your hair is. In simplest terms, it controls how well your hair can absorb and retain moisture. High porosity hair is characterized by raised cuticles that allow it to both easily absorb and quickly lose moisture. Which makes the heat and humidity of summer especially troublesome. High porosity hair absorbs moisture from the air throughout the day, and when that happens your hair follicles will naturally swell and increase in size. In the best case, this results in an increase in volume. But more often than not your hair doesn’t absorb water evenly, often resulting in an increase in frizz. Throw in a high level of heat and humidity and you might just have a recipe for disaster. If you’re not proactive in your hair care and styling, that is.Cut Down On Heat Styling
Hair that is more porous is already at a disadvantage when it comes to heat styling because raised cuticles are more fragile than layered ones. By applying heat to high porosity hair, you can actually end up damaging the cuticle so much that you make it more porous than it was before. We recommend avoiding heat styling at all costs if you have high porosity hair – but if you need to use it, make sure your styler is set to low or cool.The L.O.C. Method Is Perfect For High Porosity Hair
As we mentioned above, high porosity hair is especially prone to losing moisture throughout the day – and when your hair doesn’t have enough moisture locked in, it goes looking for it in the air around you. So what better way to make sure your moisture is locked in than with the L.O.C. method: leave-in conditioner, oil, and cream? This technique not only consists of using moisture rich products, but specifically involves using oils midway through to help seal in that moisture. A staple in any curly hair routine, the types of products you use (especially oils”> can vary based on your hair porosity.Step 1: Leave-In Conditioners To Hydrate
Choosing the right leave-in is imperative because this is the step in which you’re infusing your hair with moisture, so it only makes sense to use the most hydrating products possible. Which is why we’ve compiled some of our favorite tried and true moisture rich leave-ins including:SheaMoisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Leave-In Treatment
Not only does coconut help reduce moisture loss in high porosity hair, but it’s also incredibly hydrating, making it the perfect addition to your hair care routine.Kinky-Curly Knot Today Natural Leave-In and Detangler
This creamy natural leave-in uses botanical extracts to smooth and moisturize your hair without weighing it down.Mielle Avocado Moisturizing Hair Milk
Although it’s infused with lighter oils like avocado oil and jojoba oil, this moisturizing hair milk is formulated with humectants to make sure your hair retains the moisture it needs.Step 2: Use Heavier Oils To Seal In Moisture
The oil you use is largely dependent upon your porosity. Higher porosity hair can benefit greatly from thicker, heavier oils whereas lower porosity hair should stick to lighter oils that won’t weigh your hair down, such as argan oil and avocado oil. For high porosity hair we recommend using products with thicker oils like castor oil, olive oil, and coconut oil or simply adding the oil to an applicator bottle and applying it directly to your hair.Step 3: Creams Define and Moisturize
Although you might think hair gels are the way to go when you want to seal in moisture, using a cream allows you to add even more moisture to your hair while also giving you defined, shining curls. Basically it’s one of the best things you can do for your high porosity curls in the summer.Rizos Curls Curl Defining Cream
Made with aloe vera, coconut oil, and shea butter, this defining cream both conditions and enhances your curls, leaving them soft and hydrated.Bounce Curl’s Avocado and Rose Oil Clump & Define Cream
This concentrated cream includes not one but ten exotic oils to help soften and moisturize your curls.Aunt Jackie’s Coconut Creme Recipes Butter Creme Intensive Moisture Sealant
Designed especially for dry hair, this sealant combines coconut creme, shea butter, avocado oil, honey, and monoi and rosemary extracts to protect and revive dry, lackluster curls.
If you’ve read some of my earlier articles, you might have noticed a slight pattern when it comes to product recommendations. I.e. I absolutely love using Kinky-Curly products for my type 3 curls, especially their Curling Custard and Knot Today. And now I get to tell you why!
Why I Love Kinky-Curly Curling Custard
My absolute favorite thing about this curling custard is that it has a strong hold but is still lightweight enough not to weigh my curls down. Which is especially important if you battle high humidity everyday like I do. Because let me tell you, the Texas heat and humidity is no joke.
Kinky-Curly Curling Custard has some amazing ingredients that help it lock in moisture, provide a lasting hold, and define your curls. The humectant properties of Agave Nectar, for example, allow it to keep the right balance of moisture in your hair and retain its curl pattern. It’s also super concentrated, so a little product goes a long way. Which means an 8 oz container will last you a long time before you need to resupply (let alone a 16 oz tub!”>.
Kinky-Curly has quickly risen in popularity in recent years to the point where it’s now in most major stores and on amazon. And good thing too, because anyone who’s loved it long before it became popular will remember how hard it used to be to find it in that small hair care section of TJ Maxx and Ross stores! It is much, much easier to find nowadays than it used to be. So this is a personal thank you from me to everyone who helped bring Kinky-Curly into the spotlight.
How I Use Curling Custard
As most curlies know, moisture is key. And when it comes to styling your hair, it often helps to have your hair as wet as possible, and Kinky-Curly Curling Custard is no exception. So if you’re not doing your hair right after the shower, I highly recommend using a spray bottle and soaking your hair before styling. Or you can even try styling your hair in the shower!
By starting off with fully hydrated hair, you’re making sure that you don’t damage your curls when applying your products. But also, if you were to apply curling custard without wet hair it would have no moisture to lock in, and would definitely go looking to absorb moisture from the air.
Since curling custard is essentially a gel, I like to apply a curl cream first so that my hair will stay soft and moisturized under the custard’s hold. Adding the curling custard after a cream product really helps to seal everything in. And by adding the moisturizing properties of a curl cream first, I can decrease the likelihood that the humectants in the curling custard will “bloat” my hair cuticle.
After applying both products individually, I then grab my hair towel and scrunch it to remove most of the water and any excess product before clipping my roots up or styling it for the day. And voila!
It can create a strong hold on your curls depending on how much curling custard you use, so you may need to scrunch your hair once it’s dry to break the casting. But from there I’ve had great luck with day two and even day three hair before needing a major refresh!
Will It Work For You?
I wholeheartedly recommend Kinky-Curly Curling Custard to all my curlies out there. It’s never let me down and everyone I’ve personally recommended it to has loved it!
But that being said, there’s no one size fits all product for everyone and a lot of the time it comes down to trial and error. While it works perfectly for my type 3 curls, that doesn’t necessarily mean it will work for all curl types – although a good friend of mine with type 2 curls also swears by it.
Kinky-Curly Curling Custard may not be a great choice for you if you have ultra-fine or thin hair, and it may not provide the right amount of hold for everyone. If you put too much in, it can easily weigh down your curls, so it might take a few tries before you figure out how much curling custard you actually need. While like me, some people recommend pairing it with a curl cream underneath to help reduce frizz on day two and day three, others have reported experiencing flaking when used with other products.
What Others Are Saying About Kinky-Curly Curling Custard
But you shouldn’t just take my word for it. Check out some of the below reviews of Kinky-Curly Curling Custard by some other great curl-fluencers:
The Curious Jalebi was sent the curling custard by Naturally You N Me to try it out and gave an honest review citing some of its major pros and cons, but ultimately stated she loved it because “it gives me such defined ringlets that are also shiny.”
Curly Bun Mom agrees that Kinky-Curly Curling custard is curly girl approved, meaning it is silicone, sulfate, paraben, mineral, and alcohol free and “leaves you with defined, light, bouncy curls or waves that last days.”
How has your experience been with Kinky-Curly products? Let us know in the comments below!
Do your curls need a scalp detox? Chances are, they probably do.
Hair products, chemical treatments, hard water, dead skin cells, pollution, and other environmental factors can quickly clog the hair follicles in your scalp. If left unmanaged, this could quickly lead to an increase in hair shedding and a decrease in hair growth.
Although regular cleansing can help rid your scalp of most oils, dirt, and product buildup, tighter curl patterns such as type 3 curls and type 4 curls can greatly benefit from an occasional scalp detox. Especially since tighter curls often require thicker and heavier products to maintain.
Your curls might need a detox if:
- You wash your hair twice a week or less
- You’ve noticed an increase in hair shedding or thinning
- You can feel product buildup on your scalp (even after cleansing it”>
- You regularly wash with hard water
- You use products with silicones or other hard to remove ingredients
What Is A Scalp Detox?
Known by many names – a scalp cleanse, hair detox, or scalp detox – it’s imperative that you take the time to detox your scalp every four to six weeks. This means giving your scalp a deep cleanse through exfoliation to eliminate product buildup, dead skin cells, and an overabundance of oils. Both of which can lead to inflammation, a buildup of yeast on your scalp, and an increase in hair shedding.
While it’s important not to overdo it, adding an occasional scalp detox to your hair care routine helps to reduce pore clogging elements and rebalance the pH of your skin to give you happier, healthier hair. Detoxing your scalp also helps to remove odor causing bacteria and reduce your risk of scalp irritation.
How To Detox Your Scalp Naturally
A scalp detox can easily be done at home either using store bought scalp cleansers or by making your own homemade natural scalp detox. Scalp cleansers work by using either physical or chemical exfoliants to gently buff, cleanse, and rejuvenate your scalp.
Physical exfoliators
Some examples of physical exfoliators include:
- Activated Charcoal
- Bentonite Clay
- French Green Clay
- Rhassoul Clay
- Nut Granules
- Perlite
- Salt
- Sugar
Chemical exfoliators
A few of the most common chemical exfoliants (which are also often found in a number of skincare products”> include:
- Acetic Acid (such as Apple Cider Vinegar”>
- Bamboo Extract
- Citric Acid (AHA”>
- Lactic Acid (AHA”>
- Glycolic Acid (AHA”>
- Neem Oil
- Rosemary Essential Oil
- Salicylic Acid (BHA”>
- Tea Tree Oil
- Willow Bark Extract
The best way to detox your scalp is to use a variety of ingredients in combination with one another because they often have very specific purposes. For example, activated charcoal and clay work by absorbing the excess oils on your scalp while salt and sugar are used to scrub old skin cells away. Similarly, AHA’s (alpha-hydroxy acids”> and BHA’s (beta-hydroxy acids”> excel at unclogging pores and removing dead skin cells.
Top Scalp Cleansers
When looking for a good scalp cleanser, you want to focus on products which both cleanses and soothes your scalp. To start you off, we’ve gathered a few of our favorites from brands you know and love.
Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo
Without harsh silicones, sulfates, parabens, or phthalates, Briogeo Scalp Revival works by gently removing dead skin cells, excess oils, and product buildup from your scalp. You can use it either in place of your normal shampoo or before your regular cleansing routine. Briogeo also boasts a full range of products and treatments specifically geared toward reviving your scalp.
dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Scalp Scrub with Pink Himalayan Sea Salt
Designed to be used before your normal shampoo and conditioning routine, dpHUE’s ACV Scalp Scrub combines physical and chemical exfoliants to naturally detox your scalp while also soothing your skin and balancing your pH level. This scrub also includes other beneficial ingredients such as aloe vera and avocado oil. Plus, it’s color safe.
Curlsmith Wash & Scrub Detox Pro-biotic
This clarifying scrub shampoo is great for all hair types and uses both physical and chemical exfoliants such as perlite and apple cider vinegar to gently detox your scalp. Curlsmith recommends using their scrub detox in place of your normal shampoo so that you don’t overstrip the beneficial oils on your scalp.
DIY Scalp Detoxes
At NaturallyCurly, some of our favorite DIY scalp detoxes include bentonite clay, french green clay, or rhassoul clay – most of which can be made using other common household ingredients such as milk, honey, and apple cider vinegar.
If you’re interested in making your own DIY scalp detox at home, you might want to check out our articles on detoxing natural hair with bentonite clay and charcoal and 10 of the best all-natural scalp cleansing ingredients.
Do you have a favorite scalp detoxer at home or a tried and true DIY recipe? Let us know in the comments!
Pictured: @curlswithkeish
Developed by Melissa Stites (a NaturallyCurly community veteran since 2009″>, the squish to condish technique introduces the importance of water and deeply hydrated hair at every step – especially during conditioning, a process previously thought to do the work all on its own. Now there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the popular method of doing the squish to condish, but if your hair doesn’t feel as soft when you step out of the shower as it did at the hair salon, you might want to try changing it up.
How to Squish to Condish
The original method consists of apply enough conditioner in the shower that your hair feels super slippery, and then squishing and scrunching water and conditioner into the hair for extra hydration. Here is Alyson Lupo demonstrating the technique on her waves.
How To Take The Basics And Make Them Work For You
At its core, the squish to condish technique is all about enhancing your hair’s hydration so that you can reduce frizz, encourage curl formation, and have healthier hair. Particularly for anyone with Type 2 waves or Type 3 curls, as they’re especially prone to frizz. So if you’ve tried the squish to condish technique in the past but didn’t see amazing results, we recommend trying it again – this time with a little twist.
1. Shampoo as Normal
Shampoo your hair as normal (or skip this step if it’s a co-wash day”> and thoroughly rinse it out. In the market for a new shampoo for your curls? We’ve got you covered.
2. Condition
Apply a generous amount of conditioner as usual, taking care to make sure it’s applied evenly and spread throughout your hair. Your hair should feel slippery and silky. If it doesn’t, you either need more conditioner or a better conditioner for your hair type.
3. Fill a Cup or Small Bowl With Water and Dump it Over Your Head
It might feel silly at first, but I promise you it’s worth it.
Rather than tipping your head back under the water from your showerhead, try filling a cup or small bowl with water and gently pouring it over your head. Even just briefly darting your head under the shower head can quickly wash away too much conditioner.
4. Squish as Usual
With the water running in all directions, lean to either side and tip your hair forward, taking a moment to gently scrunch your curls up wherever the water runs.
5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 Until There’s No More Residue
You’ll likely find you only need to repeat steps 3 and 4 a couple times before your hands squish some of the conditioner and water out of your hair and come away clean, without any conditioner residue. It will probably surprise you how little water you actually need to wash the excess conditioner from your hair.
Note: This is not the same thing as leaving some extra conditioner in your hair after a shower, but is more about not rinsing away all the conditioner you applied.
6. Enjoy the Feeling of Thoroughly Hydrated Curls!
With just the right amount of conditioner removed from your hair, you’ll find it feeling soft and almost just as silky as when you first applied the conditioner. And the crazy thing is that you might just find that you don’t need hair masks at all after that. Because there’s a good chance you might have actually been over-rinsing your hair all along.
Have you tried the squish to condish method or another hair hydration technique in the past?
Tell us about what works for you – and if you’ve tried this new take on the squish to condish technique, let us know how it went!
GETTY IMAGES
Although you may not have noticed, many of your favorite curly hair products likely contain some form of alcohol, the most common often being Cetearyl alcohol. Which can feel counterintuitive since alcohols are often thought to be drying and bad for your hair – but that’s not always the case.
While that may give you pause, the term “alcohol” simply refers to the chemical compound of a specific structure. In this case, a carbon atom with one or more hydroxyl (―OH”> groups attached to it. So when it comes to your hair care, you might be surprised to find that they actually can serve an important purpose.
That being said, while Cetearyl alcohol is definitely beneficial for your hair when used in shampoos and conditioners, you never want to use a product that lists cetearyl alcohol as the first ingredient. This is because the order ingredients are listed in on a label actually has a meaning behind it: the first ingredient is the most abundant while the last ingredient is included in the smallest quantity.
So what this means for you and your hair is that you should always double check the bold “special” ingredients in a product before purchasing or using it. Because you may find it listed lower in the ingredient list than you’d like. Vice versa, there can be ingredients like Cetearyl alcohol that while beneficial, shouldn’t be listed too close to the top.
What is Cetearyl Alcohol?
Cetearyl alcohol is a long chain, fatty alcohol that adds an emulsifying agent to many hair care products and can help your hair feel smoother with less frizz. Long chain alcohols are oilier than short chain alcohols thanks to their abundance of carbon atoms in each molecule (between 12 and 20″>. Made from a combination of Cetyl alcohol and Stearyl alcohol, Cetearyl alcohol can be naturally sourced from plants or synthetically created.
While the ingredient section may list it by name, Cetearyl alcohol can also be referred to as:
- alcohols C1618
- C16-18 alcohols
- (C16-C18″> alkyl alcohol
- cetyl/stearyl alcohol
- cetostearyl alcohol
Not All Alcohols Are Bad For Your Curls
When it comes to curly hair, in simplest terms short chain alcohols are bad and fatty alcohols are helpful to a point. But it’s a little more complicated than that. Short chain and long chain alcohols have different uses and functions, and are therefore found in different kinds of products. The alcohol in hair spray, for example, will likely not be the same one found in your conditioner and styling creams
Of course, you can also avoid alcohols altogether (if you prefer”> in both your cleansing and styling products as long as you’re careful to thoroughly read the ingredient label before purchasing. That being said, you likely won’t see the same or desired results.
Short Chain Alcohols
Short chain alcohols have their uses – you just might not want them included in all of your hair care products. These alcohols are the ones which evaporate quickly, often leaving your hair feeling dry. And unfortunately, they’re likely to be found in hair care products which claim to “cut down your drying time” (which can work in a hairspray, but not so much in a conditioner”>.
But they’re also known to whisk away moisture and natural oils as they dry, creating rough, frizzy, and even brittle hair. Which is absolutely the last thing you want for your curls. And remember, the higher up an ingredient is in the list, the higher its concentration is in a particular product. So while your hair may not show any adverse reactions to a shampoo, conditioner, or styling product when a short chain alcohol is listed near the bottom of the ingredients section, you should be cautious when using something with a larger “bad” alcohol content.
Some of the most common short chain alcohols found in hair care products include:
- Alcohol denat (Denatured alcohol”>
- Benzyl alcohol
- Ethanol alcohol
- Ethyl alcohol
- Isopropanol alcohol
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Propanol alcohol
Long Chain Alcohols (A.K.A. Fatty Alcohols”>
In comparison, long chain alcohols are often far more beneficial than short chain alcohols, but should still be used in moderation. This is because they have far more carbon atoms, making them oilier and “fatty.” When used in moderation they can help soften your curls and reduce the chances of frizz. Fatty alcohols, like humectants, can also draw moisture from the atmosphere to your hair to maintain hydration.
But mainly, they’re added to curl creams, conditioners, and other moisturizing products because they’re used as emulsifiers. In addition to Cetearyl alcohol, Cetyl alcohol, Lauryl alcohol, Stearyl alcohol, and Myristyl alcohol are three of the most common “good” fatty alcohols you’re likely to find in curly hair products.
What It Means To Be An Emulsifier
In large part, alcohols are included in various moisturizing products because of their emulsifying properties. And fatty alcohols specifically are chosen because they are also moisturizing and nourishing when used in moderation.
An emulsifier is something that keeps liquids and oils from separating, and it’s extremely beneficial in curly hair care products which more often than not contain a combination of both. Which is part of what makes Cetearyl alcohol so important. Not only does it help to smooth and soften your hair, but it also keeps your products mixed together.
Read next: The Trick to Reading the Label On Curly Hair Products
