Key Points
- Curly hair is more prone to dryness, tangles, and frizziness than other hair types.
- Having the proper routine and products for your curls is essential to their health and appearance.
- Prioritize the moisture of your hair by using the proper washing regimen and incorporating a hair serum for curly hair.
- Pick one of the top five curly hair serums for heat protection, frizz control, and deep moisturization.
Curly hair is difficult, but it doesn’t have to be when you find the right routine. Curly hair is one of the most beautiful hairstyles out there. Those righteous ringlets need special care in order for them to be the most stunning they can be. Find the right serum to hydrate, nourish, and manage your curls.
Needs of Curly Hair
With great curls comes great responsibility. You can have fantastic curls every day when you’re willing to spend the time tending to them. With proper care and products, curly hair becomes manageable and remains one of your best features without stressing you too much.
Washing
It’s complicated to wash curly hair since it’s more prone to dryness and damage than straight hair. It’s important to use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner for curly hair. Avoid shampoos that contain sulfates, which can strip the hair of its natural oils.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, “Curly hair is drier than other hair types. To keep it moisturized, condition all your hair, not just the ends. Apply a thick conditioner after washing your hair. Then, apply oil or leave-in conditioner after you have finished washing and conditioning your hair to assist with moisturization. If your hair is very dry or if you have trouble detangling your hair before shampooing, you can also apply conditioner before washing your hair. Look for a conditioning product that contains ingredients such as argan oil, glycerin, or a fatty alcohol like cetyl or stearyl alcohol.”
Detangling
Sometimes, it takes ages to detangle curly hair! You must use a certain kind of detangling comb or brush with wide-spaced teeth to avoid breakage. Start by detangling your ends and slowly work your way up the hair. This prevents tangles from getting worse, since brushing down from the scalp could create a whole bird’s nest at your tips.
Apply a leave-in conditioner or detangling spray to your hair before you start detangling. This makes the detangling process easier and prevents damage. Be patient and gentle when detangling your hair. Don’t force it if it’s knotted. Getting regular trims helps to remove split ends that are prone to tangling and makes your detangling process much easier while preventing further damage.
Ace+Acre announced in May of 2023 a new hair-detangling brush that supposedly is one of the most efficient brushes out there. It is still a prototype, but the potential of this product is incredible.
Styling
Styling curly hair requires patience, technique, and the right products. There are many different ways to style curly hair. The best way to style your hair depends on your curl type and personal preference.
Many curly-haired heads use a diffuser to dry their hair to define curls and prevent frizz. Avoid using heat styling tools too often, as they cause damage to your hair and make it more prone to frizz. Always use a heat-protectant serum before heat styling.
To preserve your curls and avoid tangles overnight, braid or twist your hair before sleeping. Wearing a silk cap or silk pillowcase helps prevent your hair from drying out.
How Hair Serums Help Curly Hair
There are hair serums to solve just about any hair struggle you have! There are hair serums to add volume, promote growth, protect from heat damage, nourish your scalp, reduce frizziness, and add moisture.
Most curly heads of hair could benefit from a whole range of hair serum benefits:
- Hydrate: Curly hair is prone to dryness, but serums add moisture to the hair shaft and seal in natural oils.
- Define curls and prevent frizz: Serums coat the hair with a layer of oil or silicone, which helps to smooth down the hair cuticles and create a barrier against humidity.
- Detangling: Hair serums help to detangle curly hair, making it easier to brush and style. They do this by adding slip to the hair, which helps to prevent tangles and knots.
- Protecting from heat: If you use heat on your hair, you need to use protection. Hair serums create a barrier between the hair and the heat, which helps to prevent the hair from drying out and becoming damaged.
When choosing a hair serum for curly hair, look for one for curly hair that contains ingredients that hydrate, define, and detangle your hair. Some effective hair serum ingredients to look for include:
Argan Oil
Argan oil is a rich source of fatty acids that hydrate and nourish curly hair.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is another good moisturizer for curly hair. It’s known for its ability to protect hair from heat damage.
Shea Butter
Shea butter is a natural emollient that smooths down the hair cuticles and prevents frizz.
Water-Soluble Silicone
Silicone is a synthetic ingredient that coats the hair and creates a barrier against humidity. However, it is important to note that non-water silicone can build up on the hair over time, so choose a water-soluble form of silicone.
Top Five Hair Serums for Curly Hair
Explore these top hair serums for curly hair and start sampling to find which one works best for your locks. Each one comes with its own set of directions — stay consistent in your routine to give your hair the chance to keep all the benefits. Follow the directions of the serum you use and ideally apply it to wet hair for full effect. You can also apply some to dry hair for styling, frizz maintenance, and heat protection.
Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Cream
Add a smooth finish to your hair while moisturizing your locks and reducing dry time with Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Cream. Lightweight silicones in this formula coat your hair and reduce frizz, even in extremely humid environments. Enjoy silky smooth curls with a pleasant scent of apple and orange!
Apply a small amount of this product to damp hair. Work it through your curls from root to tip using your fingers or a comb. This product is popular among curly hair enthusiasts! The lightweight cream provides a good amount of hold without making hair crunchy or weighing down your curls.
If you are looking for a lightweight styling cream that hydrates, defines, and protects your curly hair, Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum is a great option to consider.
John Frieda Frizz Ease Extra Strength Serum
If you have coarse, thick, curly hair, try John Frieda Frizz Ease Extra Strength Serum. Coarse and curly hair is difficult to manage, but this serum nourishes even the most difficult curls and leaves them silky smooth.
The silk proteins and seaweed extract in the formula prevent flyaways and control even the most challenging hair. This product also protects your hair from humidity and heat damage.
If you have dry, frizzy, thick, or even color-treated hair, give John Frieda Frizz Ease a try. It’s well-loved amongst the curly community!
OGX Nourishing + Coconut Milk Anti-Breakage Serum
Struggling with breakage in your curls? Try OGX Nourishing + Coconut Milk Anti-Breakage Serum for deep nourishment, easy detangling, and less breakage. Coconut oil adds shine, softness, and luster to even the dullest hair while preventing frizz. Whipped egg white protein helps to strengthen your hair, making it look and feel healthier.
While this OGX hair serum is perfect for fragile curls, it’s also suitable for any type of hair texture. Enjoy the sweet smell of coconut, along with all of its amazing nourishing properties!
Matrix Biolage Smoothproof Serum
To add a silky smooth shine to dull, frizzy curls, use some Biolage Smoothproof Serum. This hair serum for curly hair locks in moisture even in humidity to control your frizz like never before. Keep your smooth look and a delicious smell all day long.
This hair serum also provides heat protection, so you can style your hair with peace of mind. This serum is perfect for fine hair as it doesn’t weigh down your curls!
Curlsmith Intense Treatment Hair Serum
Enjoy all of the fancy curly hair products for moisturization in one jar of magic potion — Curlsmith Intense Treatment Hair Serum. Use this product before you shampoo to protect your curls, overnight for a deep moisturizing session, and as a leave-in treatment after wash day. This rich butter melts into an oil while you use it to seep deep into your hair and treat your coarse or curly hair.
Expert Tips For Maintaining Curls
There are endless tips and tricks out there to maintain curly hair. To find the best routine for you, experiment with different methods and see what gives you the best results. Some expert tips for curly hair include:
- Wash your hair less often. Curly hair is naturally drier than other hair types, so you don’t need to wash it as often. Washing your hair too often can strip away the natural oils that help to keep it hydrated. Aim to wash your hair 1-2 times per week.
- Use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Look for products that are for curly hair and contain moisturizing ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil, or argan oil.
- Avoid using sulfates and silicones. Sulfates and silicones can dry curly hair. Look for products that are sulfate-free and silicone-free.
- Condition your hair thoroughly. When you condition your hair, make sure to work the conditioner through all the way to the ends. This keeps your hair hydrated and prevents frizz.
- Detangle your hair gently. When detangling curly hair, be gentle. Use a wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush and start detangling from the bottom up.
- Apply a leave-in conditioner or styling product. A leave-in conditioner or styling product defines your curls and prevents frizz. Look for products for curly hair that contain moisturizing ingredients.
- Avoid heat styling. Heat styling damages curly hair. If you use heat styling tools, use a heat-protectant serum.
- Get regular trims. Split ends make your hair look frizzy and unhealthy. Get regular trims to remove split ends and keep your hair looking its best.
- Protect your hair at night. To prevent your hair from getting tangled and frizzy overnight, sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase.
Love Your Locks
It’s common to have a love-hate relationship with your hair — especially if it’s curly. When you have a good hair day, you rule the world, but how much trouble do you go through to make your curls do what you want them to do?
Use a hair serum for curly hair on a regular basis to nourish your locks. Soon enough, you are frizz-free and moisturized with beautifully defined curls!
Published on Age Defying September 5, 2023