Last Updated on August 31, 2022 by Verna Meachum
The New Year is upon us, and what better way to start the new year than with some curly hair goals? If you’re like me, your hair often takes a beating from styling products or weather changes.
Making sure that you’re caring for your hair properly is key to having fabulous curls while also ensuring they stay healthy. Maybe you want to try a new style, learn how to properly care for those tangles, or get that frizz under control. It’s not always easy to take care of curly hair, but it is possible!
Here are my top ten healthy curly hair tips and tricks to style and care for hair in the New Year!
1) Eat foods that promote hair health
The first step to having great curly hair is eating the right foods. Foods that are high in protein and vitamin B12 promote healthy hair growth. You should also eat plenty of fruits and vegetables for their antioxidants, which help keep your scalp healthy.
When you’re not eating right for healthy hair, it shows! Eating a balanced diet will help keep your curls looking their best. I ate my way to healthy locks with these tips below.
Some of my favorite hair-healthy foods include:
– salmon (high in omega fatty acids)
– lentils, black beans, and other legumes (high in protein)
– eggs (rich in biotin)
– spinach, broccoli, and other dark leafy greens (rich in vitamins A, C, E)
– dark chocolate (rich in antioxidants)
– avocados (high in vitamin B12)
-drink lots of water, but you already know that
So go ahead, treat yourself to a little hair-healthy indulgence. Besides, it’s good for you! 😉
2) Be gentle with your curls
Curls need lots of love and attention because they’re delicate like little flowers. Make sure you don’t yank on them too hard when washing or styling; this will cause breakage and make it more difficult to manage them in the future.
Take it easy when detangling your hair and use a wide-tooth comb or your favorite detangling brush. Don’t rush the detangling process.
3) Use a deep conditioner that is specifically designed for curly hair
If you don’t use a deep conditioner, consider adopting one in the New Year. Treat your curls with a deep conditioner that is specifically designed for curly hair as part of your New Year’s resolution if you do not already use one.
Using a deep conditioner helps to improve the elasticity of curly hair, which can lead to less breakage and frizz. Look for a deep conditioner that contains ingredients like shea butter, argan oil, or avocado oil to help nourish your curls. These ingredients will help to nourish your curls and make them look and feel healthier.
Not everyone will need a deep conditioner every time they wash their hair, but it’s a great way to give your curls some extra love and TLC.
4) Schedule a haircut in advance
Depending on where you live, scheduling a haircut every six to eight weeks may not be practical. However, if you can find time in your schedule for haircuts at least twice a year, it will do your curls a world of good. A haircut helps to remove the dead ends from your hair and keep them healthy.
In addition to that, some curly hair salons book months in advance so it can be difficult to get in your favorite hairstylist’s seat, which is why you should schedule your appointments in advance!
If this isn’t an option for whatever reason, try reaching out to a curly hairstylist who can guide you to trim or reshape your own curls virtually. Yes, this is an actual thing. The Daze Studio is a great salon that offers online consultations if you’re looking to try this out.
If this is still not possible, then you can always dust your ends at home. Hair dusting is a method of removing dead ends without sacrificing too much length. It’s similar to a trim, but it’s less drastic.
“Hair dusting is based on an old technique that consisted of twisting sections of hair and using a candle to burn off dead ends.”
L’oreal Paris
I recommend starting with a good pair of sharp hair cutting shears (stay away from dull shears at all costs) and following these simple steps:
- Part your hair into four sections (left, right, top, bottom)
- Clip up the top and bottom sections of hair
- Use your fingers as guides along the way and cut off the dead ends
- When you’re done, style as usual.
5) Don’t wash your hair every day
Depending on the length, the thickness of your hair, and lifestyle, you may not need to wash it every day. If you feel like your scalp is getting oily or dirty, wash it as often as needed.
Most curly-haired people can get away with washing their hair about twice per week, especially if you’re using the right products to keep it hydrated.
When you do wash your hair, use a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner. Harsh sulfates can strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry and brittle. Look for products that specifically say “sulfate-free” on the bottle.
6) Don’t use a lot of styling products
Curly hair doesn’t need a lot of product in order to look good; in fact, too much product can often make your hair feel product-y, heavy, and difficult to style. So, try to use them sparingly.
If you do need to use them, you’ll want to start with the lightest product first and layer other products on top of it. That way, you can control the amount of product in your hair and avoid the dreaded ‘product build-up’.
Don’t overdo it!
7)Try a no-heat challenge
One healthy curly hair tip is to try a no-heat curl challenge. This involves going an extended period without using any heat on your hair. For some people, this may be a week or two while for others it may be a month or more. You decide how long you want to do it.
During this time, you will need to find new ways to style your hair. This can be done by going for low-maintenance styles like buns, braids, top knots, etc. These styles are great for curly hair because they don’t require any heat styling and the look is very natural.
If you are looking for a way to achieve bouncy, voluminous curls without the use of heat, then this is the challenge for you. By using natural methods to style your hair, you will be able to achieve beautiful curls without any damage. So, grab your favorite hair products and get ready to try a no-heat curl challenge!
8) Have patience while drying
I used to have the patience of a saint. Ha! I’m kidding, I never had that kind of patience. But when it came to my curly hair, I would wait hours for it to dry. Sometimes, I would even go to bed with wet hair and hope for the best. I would wake up the next morning with a head full of frizz and regret. Don’t do that to yourself!
Your curls can take up to 3 times longer than straight hair to fully dry, so you’ll need to develop a lot of patience. If your hair is completely soaked when you get out of the shower, use an old t-shirt or microfiber towel to blot away excess water (don’t rub!).
9) Don’t be afraid to try something new
If you’re tired of styling your hair the same way and you want to try something different, then try a no-heat style. Keep in mind that they may take some getting used to if you’re not used to having your hair up all the time, but once you get the hang of it, it’s really quite simple and comfortable!
Here are some no-heat curlers for you to add to your styling repertoire.
No Heat Hair Curlers: These come in various sizes. You can create waves or curls without damaging your hair. During sleep, you can wrap them up and pull them back with a satin or silk scarf due to the soft material. The curlers keep your hair in place as it takes on the form or shape.
EQARD Hair Curlers: Here is another great heatless curler that also comes in various sizes. You insert portions of hair into the curlers using the hook that comes in the package. Different colors represent different directions of rotation because the best way to get a natural-looking style is to alternate the directions.
You can find tutorials on YouTube on how to use either of these products.
10) Love thine own curls!
We have a difficult time resisting the charms of our favorite curly hair guru. Somehow, their bouncy ringlets make us forget about our own struggles. We want what they have – the bouncy waves and curls, the volume, the healthy shine, and we’re tempted to do whatever it takes to get it.
But the reality is, you don’t have to give up your own curls to love them! It’s okay to get inspiration from others, but what you have is unique to your body and lifestyle.
Don’t fight against your natural texture–embrace it and love it for all its quirks! After all, it’s one of a kind. You need to love the way your hair looks and behaves, and take care of it in a way that works best for you. There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to taking care of curly hair, so find what works for you and stick with it.
As I always say, let your hair be your guide!
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