How to care for your curls

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How to care for your curls

Protecting your locks starts before you even get into the shower!

By Jaime Morton-Hawley, makeup artist, beauty blogger and professional photographer

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Published: Fri 19 Oct 2018, 12:00 AM

Last updated: Fri 19 Oct 2018, 2:00 AM

PRE-WASH
Though some might consider this step optional, I'd say it's necessary if you live in a part of the world where dry heat is a constant. A hair mask is a great way to get moisture into the hair before you step into the shower. I use Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask all over my dry hair, cover it with a cap and add a little heat from my hair dryer to help the product penetrate. I make sure my hair has no knots before I do this step.
SHAMPOO
Experts recommend washing your hair 2-3 times a week and conditioning more often. If you workout, rinse and condition
instead of using a shampoo. If you have an oily scalp, a dry shampoo may help between washes. When washing your hair with shampoo, add it to your scalp and let it fall through the ends as you rinse instead of adding it through the tips. This can avoid making the ends dry. Try to shampoo in a back and forth motion (instead of circular) to avoid tangles while still getting your scalp and roots clean, and massage the scalp to promote hair growth. And finally, make sure your shampoo is sulfate and paraben free to avoid your curls being weighed down.
CONDITIONER
After applying a liberal amount, it's best to let the conditioner sit as long as possible so you might need to switch up your routine and wash your hair before your body. I use a wide-toothed or detangling comb after applying the conditioner, so I know all the strands have product. If you find combing too aggressive on wet hair, use your fingertips to avoid breakage. After letting the conditioner sit, rinse and wrap in a microfibre towel.
AIR DRY
When I'm not styling my curls, I put some leave-in conditioner on the tips of my towel-dried hair. As it dries, I lightly scrunch the hair in upwards motions.
DRY PREP
The texture and feel of your curls have a lot to do with the styling products you use. A mousse, foam or gel can cause the hair to dry with a firm or hard texture. A jelly or cream can cause your hair to dry with a softer, lighter texture. I use Ouai Wave Spray3.
DRYING
It used to be such a chore to dry my curly hair. It was never the same twice and having a good hair day was a coin toss. Now I know that it wasn't completely the fault of the styling products, but the dryer as well. I use the diffuser head on the Dyson Supersonic Hairdryer4 on low to medium heat and low flow setting to really focus the air and reduce frizz. Make sure to dry your hair upside down as it produces a better curl with fuller volume.
FINISHING THE LOOK
After the hair has completely dried, I use a few pumps of Ouai Rose Hair and Body Oil5 on my hair (avoiding the roots). This is a great time to separate some of your curls and finish with Ouai Texturing Hair Spray. If you choose to use a gel, foam or mousse to hold your curls before drying, you may not need finishing products.
REVIVING CURLS
A cream product is always best to revive your dry curls if you don't have the option of washing your hair. You can use your leave-in conditioner or mask or simply natural raw, unrefined shea butter. Use sparingly in places where frizz is prevalent or where your curls have begun to fall. It's a quick fix and doesn't require a towel or blow dry.
Remember, there are many hair types out there and some styling options might work better for you than others. Once you find your perfect combination, you're bound to have endless good hair days!
(You can follow Jaime at www.jaimecharmed.com or on Instagram @JaimeCharmed)
wknd@khaleejtimes.com


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