Nurturing Your Natural Curls: A Guide to Curly Hair Care

Welcome to your curly hair care journey, where every curl’s unique pattern shines with its own beauty! 

Embracing your curls starts with understanding their specific needs. Whether your hair forms soft waves or tight coils, each type deserves a tailored approach to keep it healthy and vibrant. Today, we’ll share a quick curly hair care guide with tips and routines to help you keep your hair hydrated, defined, and radiant.

What is Curl Type?

Curly hair comes in an incredible variety of shapes, patterns, and textures, each with unique beauty and care needs. Knowing your specific curl type is like having a roadmap to achieving your best hair day, every day. It helps you tailor your hair care routine to suit the distinct characteristics of your curls.

So, what exactly is a curl type? Simply put, your curl type refers to the shape and structure of the natural curls or waves in your hair. And it’s not just about the big picture—each curl type has subtypes that dive deeper into the specifics of your curl pattern, from loose waves to tight coils.

Hair types are generally categorised into four main groups:

Identifying Your Curly Hair Type

• Type 2 (Wavy): This category ranges from subtle waves to more pronounced curves. Wavy hair benefits from lighter products that boost volume without heavy residues.
• 2a: Gentle, elongated waves
• 2b: More defined and robust waves
• 2c: Noticeable spirals and S-shaped waves, marking a transition to more pronounced curls
• Type 3 (Curly): This type includes loose spirals to tight ringlets, with a common challenge of managing frizz. Using smoothing and moisturising products can enhance the hair’s natural sheen.
• 3a: Soft, loose spirals
• 3b: Vibrant ringlets with noticeable body
• 3c: Dense corkscrew curls with a pronounced texture
• Type 4 (Coily): Featuring the tightest curls, ranging from dense s-curls to intricate z-shaped coils, this hair type often has a dry texture, requiring deep moisturising curly hair care treatment.
• 4a: Tightly packed s-curls
• 4b: Angular z-patterned coils
• 4c: Very tight, densely kinked coils that exhibit significant shrinkage

Curly Hair Care Routine: Tips & Techniques

Now that you’ve identified your curl type, it’s time to learn the specific care tips and routines that will keep your curls looking their best. 

While sulphates are effective at cleansing, they can also strip away essential moisture and lipids, leading to a dry scalp and frizzy strands. Go for a sulphate-free shampoo with vitamins B & E, lavender extract, and natural oils.

Curly hair flourishes on its natural oils, which over washing can deplete. It’s a good idea to limit shampooing to once a week. Freshen up your curls between washes with a light spray that rejuvenates and defines them without weighing them down.

Using heat-styling tools regularly can weaken your curls and cause hair damage. So, reduce heat exposure as much as you can. If you need to use your hair tool, apply a protective cream that safeguards your strands against high temperatures before styling.

Factors like UV exposure and dry climates can remove moisture from your curls. A weekly hair mask can enhance hydration, reduce frizz, and maintain bouncy curls. Choose masks loaded with nurturing ingredients like Jericho Mud Haircare Mask with antioxidants and natural oils.

Do you like using a blow dryer? A diffuser can transform your drying technique by boosting volume and defining curls. This tool helps to spread airflow evenly, minimising frizz and enhancing the natural shape of curls. Always precede with a heat protectant spray to shield your hair from potential damage.

Maintaining your natural curl pattern means steering clear of fine-toothed combs. Go for a wide-tooth comb to detangle your hair gently when wet. After styling, avoid brushes and excessive handling to preserve your curls’ shape.

Avoid heavy products that can suppress the natural buoyancy of curly hair. Also, stick to using minimal amounts of curly hair products to keep your curls lively. Refresh your strands between washes with a nourishing leave-in spray that rejuvenates and defines them without weighing them down.

Regular salon visits to remove split ends can enhance your curls’ overall shape and volume. Between cuts, use a hair serum or oil to strengthen hair fibres and minimise breakage.

Instead of a rough towel, use a microfibre towel or an old cotton t-shirt for towel drying. These softer materials are gentler on curls and help maintain their natural pattern while reducing frizz.

Detangling should be performed with care to prevent damaging your curls. Begin at the ends and gently work upward to the roots, which helps smoothly remove tangles without unnecessary stress on the hair.

Hot water can strip moisture from your hair, while cold water helps to lock in hydration and enhance shine. Finish your wash routine with a cold rinse to seal the cuticles and boost your hair’s gloss.

Curly Hair Care Routine: A Step-by-Step Guide

Apart from the easy-to-follow curly hair care tips & techniques above, here’s a step-by-step guide on creating a specific & effective hair care routine for your curls:

Begin with Gentle Cleansing:

Deeply Condition to Seal and Moisturise:

• Apply a rich conditioner designed for your curl type to seal the hair cuticles, locking in moisture and smoothing frizz, enhancing the softness and manageability of your curls. 
• The best curly hair conditioner is often one that hydrates deeply, like the Mon Platin DSM Mineral Hair Conditioner with Dead Sea Minerals, known for its ability to detangle and prevent split ends while adding moisture and shine.

Incorporate a Nourishing Hair Mask:

• Once a week, pamper your curls with a deep-conditioning mask. Depending on your hair’s condition, leave it on for five to 30 minutes to infuse your curls with intense moisture and vitality.

Use Leave-In Products for Lasting Hydration:

• After washing and deep conditioning, apply a leave-in conditioner or curl cream. This step not only hydrates but also provides a barrier against heat damage if you use styling tools.

Revive Your Curls Between Washes:

• To refresh your curls without a complete wash, spritz them with a curl-refreshing spray. This quick touch-up reinvigorates your curls, restoring bounce and shine effortlessly.

Transform Your Curls with Jericho Skincare Australia

At Jericho Skincare Australia, we provide a wide selection of haircare products rich in natural ingredients and are suitable for all curl types. Our range includes specialised hair treatments that can deeply moisturise dry curls, define your ringlets, and control frizz effectively. Whether your hair features loose waves or tight coils, our products offer the perfect solutions to meet your needs.