Anyone with curly hair knows that keeping their hair clean, healthy, bouncy and looking amazing takes some serious work.
Ask someone with naturally curly hair what’s their biggest problem when it comes to their hair and they’ll have one answer for you: Keeping their hair moisturized.
As a general rule, curly hair needs to be moisturized but it can’t be treated like straight hair.
A low shampoo routine works wonders, as well as not washing your hair every day. Using specialized shampoos and conditioners in the shower is also a good idea but there’s another excellent way of keeping your curly hair hydrated and looking its best.
What are leave-in conditioners?
Leave-in conditioners, as their name implies, are a type of hair product that you use after you shower and don’t rinse.
They’re often used to protect your hair from the environment, from styling and to add extra hydration throughout the day. They can also be used to detangle your hair and to make you feel fresh between washes.
Since they’re different from your average conditioner and other hair care products you need to treat them as such which is why you should follow the next tips for leave-in conditioners:
1.- Choose your leave-in conditioner wisely.
Not all leave-in conditioners are made the same. Some have volumizing properties, others have added proteins, some will protect you from styling and others will help you treat colored hair.
The first thing you need to do is figure out what your hair needs and buy a leave-in conditioner that targets that specific need. Check this post to see a list of the best leave in conditioners for natural hair.
2.- Don’t use rinse-out conditioner.
While you should keep using shampoo as usual, you should avoid using rinse-out conditioner on the days you’ll use a leave-in.
Remember that conditioners, no matter the kind, will have an effect on your hair and overkilling it with conditioners by using both the rinse-out and a leave-in can make your hair appear greasy and unwashed.
3.- Remove excess moisture
Once you’ve washed your hair, make sure to remove excess moisture before applying the leave-in. You can do this with your hand or with a towel until your hair is damp.
4.- Section your hair.
For better results, you need to make sure that the conditioner is spread evenly through your hair.
Start on the ends and work your way up to your scalp, taking your time to make sure every strand is coated with the product.
You can even comb through with a wide tooth comb to make sure the leave-in gets everywhere but be gentle when doing this, as your hair is at its most fragile when it’s wet.
5.- Locate damaged areas.
When it comes to hair, it’s usual for some areas to be more damaged than others. This often happens at the ends, but it’s different for everyone.
Find the most damaged areas of your hair and make sure to use even more leave-in conditioner there.
If your hair is particularly damaged then find a leave-in conditioner that uses oil, as these are the best for fragile or damaged hair.
6.- Start modestly.
When you’re trying a new hair product it’s easy to go overboard in your excitement at trying something new but using too much leave-in conditioner can make your hair look greasy and weighed down.
To avoid this, start with a small quantity of product and see what it does to your hair throughout the day.
If you feel like you need more then next time you shower use a bit more leave-in conditioner. The same goes if you feel like you could use less.
7.- Dry, then style.
Make sure your hair is dry before styling it, as this will allow the leave-in conditioner properties to start working.
This is particularly important if you’re using a leave-in conditioner meant to protect your hair from heating products, such as curling irons.
Alternatively, you can also let your hair air dry, which will give the conditioner extra time to work its magic on your locks.
By following these tips you’ll make sure you’re getting the most out of your leave-in conditioners and you’ll avoid common beginners’ mistakes that make people think their leave-in isn’t working.
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