Care for textured, curly, wavy hair: 4 tips
How do I care for curly hair? Taking care of curly hair is not easy, especially if you don't know where to start. Dry to very dry by nature and therefore generally brittle and less defined, textured hair needs a lot of deep hydration and nutrition compared to straight hair. While some advice is to avoid excessive heat and apply a leave-in conditioner, others suggest using moisturizing masks or protein treatments. An extremely useful addition will be a 100% silk pillowcase. This is an investment in the beauty of your hair and deserves careful consideration before you decide. Whatever you choose, here are some tips to keep your hair looking its best.
1) Avoid excessive heat for the sensitive hair fiber of textured hair
Controlling heat when styling curly hair
If you want to maintain beautiful curls, you need to learn to avoid excessive heat. While it can be helpful for some styles, overheating your hair can damage it. Heat causes split ends and breakage. Using the right products and techniques can prevent this damage. For example, you can apply a heat protection spray before using a straightening iron. We also recommend controlling the heat of your iron's plates as much as possible: it's all about finding the right balance between a truly smoothing and styling effect, with a temperature that doesn't burn the hair. Beware, burned hair cannot be repaired, despite all the products you may apply. It will be dry and limp, and only a cut of the burnt part is possible.
How to dry textured hair
When drying textured or wavy hair, you can also use a heat diffuser, which is an attachment to your hair dryer. This allows for better heat distribution and limits the aggressiveness of the drying process on your textured hair. Reduce the heat of the iron as much as possible: the hair fibers will thus be less damaged.
2) Use a conditioner, a treatment or a leave-in hair mist, and do occasional moisturizing masks
Leave-in conditioners or treatments for textured or curly hair
Moisturizing your hair, especially in the case of textured and curly hair, will prevent breakage. A leave-in conditioner can help your curls feel softer and more manageable. A leave-in conditioner can also protect your hair from heat damage and reduce frizz. Here are some tips for using a conditioner or leave-in. Try them out and see what works for you: The first step is to apply the leave-in conditioner to your hair. Be sure to apply the conditioner from the bottom to the top of your hair, stopping two inches before the roots. Then, gently brush or comb through your hair to distribute the conditioner throughout your hair. It is possible to use a conditioner or a leave-in treatment.
We recommend that you avoid putting product on the roots, as this could make your hair look slightly greasy and even bother your scalp. You can choose your hair products by favoring natural or organic products. Some cosmetic components, such as silicones, will make your hair look beautiful, but in the long run they smother the keratinocytes, the cells that make up the hair fiber. We recommend that you choose the most natural cosmetic formulas possible.
Mists for textured hair
Hair mists are another type of hair care product that can be particularly interesting for textured, curly or wavy hair. You'll find three different types of hair mists:
- Scented hair mists: the purpose is primarily to scent the hair, not to provide care. These mists are often olfactory interpretations of perfumes and complement a given cosmetic line. Beware of the alcohol concentration of these perfumed mists that are applied directly to the hair: they can dry out the particularly sensitive hair fiber of textured hair.
- Styling mists for textured hair: these mists will be volumizing or styling for example. The idea is to work on the appearance of the hair fiber and not on its care. These mists are generally less aggressive for the hair than scented mists, but their primary objective is not to care for the hair.
- Hair care mists: these mists are designed to provide targeted care for the hair. For example, you will find mists to moisturize the hair, or mists to protect against heat (straightening iron or hair dryer). These mists are made to provide care, and they are particularly recommended for sensitive or weakened hair such as textured hair.
For these care mists, we recommend that you use natural ingredients known for their moisturizing and treatment benefits for the hair fiber. For example, castor oil is known to stimulate hair growth by acting on microcirculation in the scalp.
Moisturizing masks for hair
A moisturizing mask is an effective way to treat curly hair. These treatments tend to be rich in nourishing ingredients like avocado and shea butter. These ingredients also help repair damage to the scalp and even out the moisture along the hair shaft. A moisturizing mask also feels good on the hair and makes it more manageable.
Focus on specific treatments, without silicone or petroleum jelly, but truly packed with moisturizing agents like glycerin, aloe vera, vegetable oils, to seal in moisture and prevent frizz.
Some excellent moisturizing masks for curly hair contain avocado, which is rich in fatty acids and coats the cuticle with moisturizing agents. The addition of honey helps lock moisture into the hair and acts as a humectant, drawing moisture from the air. Argan oil or olive oil are also effective. Mix them well and apply them to your hair. Leave the mixture on for about 20 minutes. Once dry, rinse the hair with a mild shampoo to remove the mixture.
3) Avoid hairbrushes designed for straight hair
Curly hair is not as easy to brush as straight hair. If you have straight hair, you can use just about any brush to get great hair. But if you have curly hair, you'll need to use brushes that are specifically designed for your hair type. Luckily, there are a variety of brushes designed for curly hair that you can use to achieve a professional look.
4) Sleep on a silk pillowcase to preserve the sensitive hair fiber of textured hair
The properties of silk pillowcase for hair
A silk pillowcase can reduce the risk of split ends and dryness. Everyone's scalp produces a natural waxy oil called sebum, but textured hair tends to have a harder time retaining the hair's natural moisture. Silk is a natural hydrophobic fiber, which means that it does not absorb water, unlike cotton, which is hydrophilic, meaning that it will "pump" water. This is why silk pillowcases retain moisture better, which prevents hair from becoming dry and split. This is especially beneficial for people with curly or textured hair.
When used properly, a silk pillowcase can prevent hair breakage caused by friction. A silk pillowcase is much more effective than cotton pillowcases, which snag and dry out hair. Silk pillowcases are ideal for women with curly or textured hair, as they help to improve hair moisture and overall beauty.
Buy a silk pillowcase for hair care
Buying a high-quality 100% pure mulberry silk pillowcase is an investment in your health and beauty. A premium 100% mulberry silk pillowcase is the perfect accessory to help you care for your hair all night long, provide better moisture and, night after night, optimize its beauty.
We recommend that you choose a pure silk pillowcase that is strong and durable. Indeed, very thin pillowcases (less than 22 mms of density of the fabric) are quickly damaged. They are sensitive to small snags and are difficult to machine wash. On the other hand, silk pillowcases with a density of more than 22 mms are a little thicker and are more resistant to machine washing.
Silk pillowcases can be expensive, so be sure to check the quality of the material first. The price depends on the type of silk, the number of mums, and how well it is woven and made. The more mums, the higher the price. A good example of a silk pillowcase is the Benu Blanc natural silk pillowcase: 25 mums, it is strong and durable. It is machine washable on a gentle cycle with mild detergent and fabric softener. It can be ironed with steam and well maintained, it will last for years.
If you have colored hair, in addition to being textured, your hair will be even more fragile and will require more care. The silk pillowcase will play its role ofprotective care and maintenance of your hair. Heat styling, chemical treatments and rough handling can weaken strands and cause breakage. To avoid this, be sure to use heat protection and handle your hair gently. Also remember to use heat-resistant shampoos and conditioners. This will prevent dryness and breakage. By choosing a silk pillowcase, you can ensure that your hair stays healthy and beautiful. The icing on the cake is that silk and the proteins it contains add shine, so there's a reason it's in many shampoos.
Photo: Anaïs Grangerac visiting the Benu Blanc silk weaving workshop during the work sessions for the creation of her capsule collection Silk pillowcase and protective Ylang-ylang pillow mist.
