Best Step-By-Step Moisturizing Routine for Curly Hair
Listen, sometimes it can be a little difficult to find the right hair product or nail down your hair care routine. Sometimes brands change formulas, your favorite leave-in conditioner no longer works the same. Here is a simple and affordable natural curly hair care routine for you!
Day 1 - Wash Day Routine:
Start your wash day with a hydrating shampoo. You can choose from sulfate-free shampoos or "Curly Girl" approved shampoos that are free of silicone and drying alcohols.
We recommend Mielle Organics Pomogranate and Honey Detangling Shampoo, very hydrating and nourishing.
Other recommendations: Creme of Nature Moroccan Argan Oil, an affordable option and always highly recommended in the naturally curly community.
You can follow up with the conditioner from the same line, which is ultra hydrating, or you can opt for Shea Moisture Daily Hydration Conditioner, another great choice.
Depending on the state of your curls, you can choose to use a hair mask or proceed with a leave-in conditioner. A deep conditioning treatment once a month is recommended to keep your curls healthy.
Recommended masks: African Pride Moisture Miracle Hair Mask, Creme of Nature Pure Honey Hair Mask, curls Dynasty Pumpkin Mask
Depending on how your hair feels at the end of conditioning, you can skip adding a leave-in conditioner and move on to styling. You can leave the leave-in conditioner on for the week when you need to revive your curls.
Our favorites are: African Pride Moisture Miracle Leave-In Conditioner, Curls Dynasty Khalahari Leave-In Conditioner, Eden Body Works Payy and Foam Leave-In Conditioner.
Let's move on to the fun part of styling, here is a list of styling creams and sprays.
Our top picks are: Eden Body Works Curl Defining Cream, African Pride Moisture Miracle Cream, Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Smoothie.
Gel:
Shea Moisture All Day Frizz Control Gel.
Xtreme Wetline Gel.
Oils:
Jamaican Black Castor Oil is a great carrier oil, it's a little thick so you can use it with other hydrating oils.
Scalp oil for dry or itchy scalp or to promote hair growth is papaya oil from Eden Body Works.
Brushes:
You can use a curly hair brush like Tangle Teezer for detangling or Denman D7 (this one is for styling).
Styling methods:
Denman Brush.
Plopping.
Raking.
Hair diffuser.
Day 2 - To keep hair hydrated and frizz-free overnight
You can use a silk pillowcase, a silk shawl or a silk bonnet. For those with longer curls, you can do the pineapple method. When letting your hair down, you can apply a light oil or just a little water from a spray bottle to reduce frizz and start shaping your curls. Try not to manipulate too much or interrupt the curls, as this can cause frizz.
Day 3 - Refresh and Reset Your Curls:
Many people manage to get up to 5 days out of wash day, meaning their hair stays hydrated and they don't need to add more products. But for most people, on day 3-4 they will try to refresh the curls, which can be done with a simple reflection of the curls, leaving the product or a little water from a spray bottle.
After wash day, the best way to keep your hair hydrated is to use a leave-in conditioner.
Day 4 - Repeat Day 2:
For your nighttime routine, use a silk pillowcase. Some people wash their hair after 4 days, so in that case you just need to repeat all the steps we've gone through so far or use a co-wash! As I Am co-wash is definitely an all time favourite…
Day 5:
If you've reached day five without needing to add any products, you have your hair care routine under control! But at this point your hair tends to get a little greasy and itchy, due to dirt, oil and buildup, so you may want to contemplate using a co-wash or simply washing your hair. You can revive your curls with a light leave-in conditioner, and it's getting closer to wash day anyway...
Day 6 - Start detangling process!
You can put your hair in a bun because it's a little messy or start the detangling process. Use a wide-toothed comb, detangling brush, or detangle with your fingers.
Day 7 - Oh Yes, It's Wash Day!
Now, repeat! If you have several hair products, it's great to rotate them, so for this wash day, you can choose to use other products you may have in your stash. Oh, and one more