Confession: My relationship with curly hair has always been a troublesome one. Growing up in the ’90s and early 2000s, when stick-straight hair was definitely the beauty of choice, I tried all kinds of chemicals and hair tools to tame curls with heat. The result, as expected, was that the ends of my hair were dry, my product-soaked hair lacked body, and I had an overall miserable feeling.
Having worked in fashion magazines for almost my entire career, I’m no stranger to how hair products and habits have changed over the past decade. Heavy, silicone-laden leave-in treatments have been replaced with more intelligent formulations that directly address the specific needs faced by curly hair. Over a decade after purchasing my first curling iron, I’m proud to say that I gave up my craving for pressed hair and now style my hair without heat almost all the time. If your knee-jerk reaction is skepticism, I encourage you to take a little faith. Because the advice below is probably easier than you expect.
1. Choose a microfiber towel.
Well, let’s start with a basic towel. Regular terry cloth towels can put stress on your hair, causing frizz and dryness. The microfiber version is softer, more absorbent, and reduces hair drying time. If you have curly hair, we recommend leaving your hair curled until it is semi-dry. This is the best way to absorb all the excess moisture without irritating your hair. Try Crown Affair’s microfiber towels.
Crown Affair The Hair Towel
2. Learn how to use a diffuser correctly.
Letting your hair air dry isn’t always an option, but in those situations, a diffuser will almost always save the day. Listen to the stories of people who have had many hair disasters with regular hair dryers. Learning how to use a diffuser correctly takes some practice, but it’s well worth the time.
First, attach your diffuser and set your hair dryer to medium-high heat (adjusting along the way depending on your hair’s thickness and heat sensitivity). Tilt your hair forward (sitting in a chair may help!) and point the diffuser mouth up toward your curls. Please proceed section by section. Patience is your best ally here. Don’t stop until your hair is almost completely dry. For bouncy curls, focus on your roots. If you’re looking for a diffuser, look no further than the Dyson Supersonic attachment.
Dyson supersonic hair dryer
3. Find your perfect product cocktail.
Did you know that layering products on your hair, i.e. applying one product after another, is distinctly different from mixing two products together before application? The latter is called a product cocktail and is the same as layering. will give significantly different results. The challenge lies in finding the perfect melange for you: curl creams and gels, mousses and leave-in conditioners, or conditioning oils combined with curl-defining hair serums.
Trial and error is the best way to find what works for you, but start by blending hair care products that you own, use, and love. If you’re just starting out, try combining Fix My Curls’ flaxseed-infused gel with Curlsmith Air Dry Cream.
Carl Smith Waitress Air Dry Cream
Fix My Curl Curl Quenching Flax Seed Jelly
4. Use sunscreen on your hair.
For anyone with a complex, multi-step skin care routine, there’s no denying that sunscreen is the hero product that has the biggest impact on your skin in the long run. The same goes for your hair: prolonged unprotected exposure to the sun can produce melanin and cause moisture loss, leading to dry, faded curls. Most people only think of using heat protectants when heat styling, but whether you prefer to let your hair air dry or use a diffuser on its highest setting, UV protection should be part of your hair care routine. must be in the department. Try Clarins’ SPF 30 heat protector.
Clarins Suncare Oil Mist Body Hair SPF 30
5. Try heat-free styling
The idea of letting your curls dry naturally without applying heat can be daunting, especially if that’s the deciding factor in your styling. But properly moisturized and cared for curls may surprise you with their potential for heat-free splendor. To further shape and define your hair, curl sections with your fingers after applying product, use clips to achieve pin curls, or braid your hair for perfect morning waves. Please take a look. If you need a little more support, try Kitsch’s Heatless Curling Set.
Kitsch satin heatless curling set
This post originally appeared on Vogue India.
