How To Care for My Curly Girl Hair

The one thing I get asked about over and over again via this lil ole blog of mine.  Is about Layla's hair.  And how I care for it.  And I am passionate about this.  I never mind giving my opinions or sharing what works for us.

And that is the kicker right there.  What works for some, will not always work for others.  It is trial and error.  Or, at least it was for me while learning what products did and did not work in her hair. 

Foremost, I will recommend the book, Curly Like Me. It is an extremely informative book and reference guide.  And while I was already doing some of the steps Teri Laflesh suggests, it helped me figure out what I was NOT doing right....and it changed my/our world.

So, I figured I could write out one blog post about our hair care process and then I will have it to pass on and share.  Let's get started, shall we?

{first hair cut at 3.5 years old}

Rules for Caring for My Curly Girl Hair

1.  I only SHAMPOO WASH her hair about twice a month.  That's right folks, one time, every other Saturday.  And when I SHAMPOO WASH it, it is always with Deva Curl No Poo Shampoo.  I highly suggest this brand!  It does wonders.  It does not lather, hince the No Poo part.

{Deva Curl No Poo}

With that said, I am NOT a huge fan of their conditioners.  Because, for the price, there are numerous other options that are just as good, if not better.  {guess there goes Layla's endorsement deal!  ha.}

This is what Layla's hair looks like after I have rinsed out the shampoo.

At this point, I should say, when I do not SHAMPOO WASH Layla's hair, I am using a CONDITION WASH through it.  And I usually have to CONDITION WASH every 4 to 7 days, depending her level of activity. 

2.  This brings me to the conditioners.  I apply conditioner to her hair 2 times.  The first one I rinse out.  The second time I apply it, I LEAVE IT IN.  Do not wash it out.  The 1st application can be any type of conditioner.  Most of the time, I will use a Suave brand, or Johnson's For Kids.  The 2nd application, that you will leave in, should be a thicker, creamier type of conditioner.  Pantene usually has nice, thick creamy conditioners. 

{any brand of conditioner will do for the 1st rinse}

{use a thicker conditioner to leave in}

Beware that some of the products you may choose to use on your childs hair may burn their eyes if they are not specifically designed as tear free.  Just keep that in mind and rinse carefully.

Also, don't be scared to venture out and try new products.  Something for color treated hair maybe a great fit for your hair, or your childs, so don't get stuck buying products for only curly hair.

3.  Now it is time to comb the conditioner through your curls.  I usually do this while Layla is still in the bath tub, but if my back is really hurting me, I sit her on my lap, with a towel draped over her shoulders and anything else that could get wet and messy.  And it will get messy!  Your hair should be saturated and dripping with conditioner. 

There are combing tips in Curly Like Me that will ensure an "ouch-free" combing.  And tips on the proper combs/brushes.  Seriously, grab the book!  It is worth the investment. 

I section out the hair and comb it out, being very mindful if there are any tangles and knotted areas to use special care.  Don't keep pulling on them....they will stretch, break and damage the hair.

For stubborn areas or areas that are almost matted, I found a fabulous product I love!  Kinky Curly Knot Today!!!  First off, that name is a riot.  I love that.  And secondly, it smells heavenly.  Last, but of course not least, IT WORKS!!!! 

{a Heaven send}

4.  After I get all of her curls combed out, I apply Kinky Curly Curling Custard.  This seals the curls and provides a nice hold, without the heavy crunch of gels and sprays.  I place a scoop of this in my hand and just run over the curls.  DO NOT COMB through them....DO NOT FINGER COMB them either.  You are now done with the combing.

{I love you...no!  I really do!}

5.  It is now time to let your curls set.  Or air dry.  This is an important step.  Very important!  If the roots of the curls do not dry before you sleep on them, then they will frizz and you are back to square one.

This is the look we achieve after washing, conditioning, combing and then applying Kinky Curly Curling Custard.

{so fresh and so clean, clean}

I usually send Layla outside to play because her hair will dry the quickest this way.  If she sits on the couch, she will get a funny area where she was laying on her head, or her car seat, etc...so it is best to let it air dry completely before touching it again.  It is okay if you want to pin the front section back, but do so loosely. 

This is the look we get after sleeping on the freshly washed, conditioned, treated and dry curls.

{from the front}

{from the back}

6.  And then of course comes the days in between the "washings".  To freshen her curls everyday, I apply a squirt of the Kinky Curly Knot Today and work it through each curl to smooth out.  Again, DO NOT COMB OR BRUSH the curls.  They are set, they are good.  You will only make the curls frizzier if you try to do this.  Sometimes when the hair seems really dry, I will put a dollop of conditioner in my palms and smooth through the curls, especially at the hair line.

If you follow these pretty simple steps, I can guarantee you....the curls in your life will thank you!