Curly hair is IN, and it isn’t going anywhere. If you think about it, why should your natural hair texture be considered a “trend” anyway? Spotlighting your unique features will always be “in,” especially if the results are as captivating as a head full of curls!
If you’re ready to make the leap into the curly hair routine (or want to perfect the one you already have), we’re here to help. Change is in the air, which means it’s the perfect time to try something new!
Especially because we’re celebrating our All About the Curls campaign with 25% OFF all curl-focused products.
Keep reading for the official Colorproof guide to embracing your curls.
The Curly Hair Routine: an Overview
There are a few reasons why the curly hair routine is so different from other types of hair care.
First and foremost, curly hair is naturally more prone to dryness than straight hair. This is because curls are more porous, which means they absorb – but also lose – moisture more easily than other other hair types.
This also means that curls tend to be thinner and more delicate than straight hair. Exposing curly strands to excessive brushing, heat styling, and even sleeping can trigger a ton of breakage.
And, because curls have a tight spiral shape, smoothing products have a harder time reaching the complete surface of every strand. As a result, curls need stronger smoothing products than straight hair.
If that sounds too overwhelming to handle, don’t worry! That’s just the science of curl care. For day-to-day haircare, this simply means that your curls need extra nourishing products and well-timed styling.
Here’s what we recommend!
Step 1: Wash
Your shampoo can make a major difference in your curly hair journey. Curls and waves don’t like being weighed down by heavier products, especially at the scalp level. It’s also important to select a shampoo that’s free from sulfates, parabens, and phthalates, as they can cause over-drying quite quickly.
That’s why our Curl Shampoo is such a hit among curly-haired customers. It gives you the deep clean you need to reset your strands without sucking away moisture or disturbing your curl pattern.
Even better, it helps boost the ‘glossy’ look that makes silky smooth curls so iconic! And, like everything else at Colorproof, it’s 100% safe for color-treated hair.
If you’re starting your curly-haired journey for the very first time, it might also be helpful to try a clarifying product before transitioning to the Curl Shampoo. Both the Clear It Up® Shampoo and the Pre-Tox Spray are designed to remove product build-up and give your strands that ‘fresh start’ feeling.
Step 2: Condition (with a twist)
As with shampoo, your choice of conditioner can impact your curls’ body and bounce. Our color-boosting Curl Conditioner is super helpful here because it doesn’t just add moisture – it seals it in!
This smoothening process also adds gloss along the shaft of the hair to fight frizz and improve manageability. Because curls need extra nourishment, make sure you saturate your strands until they feel a bit slimy.
But there’s a twist: many people with curly hair don’t wash out 100% of their conditioner. You can still wash it all out and achieve bouncing curls, but for strands that demand next-level control, a little bit of leftover conditioner might do the trick.
Step 3: Style
After your shower, don’t jump straight into a towel or blow drying. Sopping wet hair is the only chance you have to safely brush your curls!
Once you’ve combed through your strands, now is the time to style. Grab your Tru Curl Enhancing Créme and work it through your hair from roots to tips (but try not to apply it to the scalp). Your hair needs to be sopping wet for this part, so add more water with a spray bottle if needed.
Step 4: Dry
Again, don’t go from styling to normal drying. This is the time to bring those curls to life by cupping and scrunching them into place!
It’s best to do this with a cotton T-shirt or a microfiber towel (normal towels can break your strands). Use a clean one to squeeze extra water from your hair by hand while scrunching your strands up and letting them bounce back down. To speed things up, you can also use a diffuser attachment on your go-to blow dryer.
As you dry and scrunch, try to separate your hair into even sections, and keep an eye out for sagging curls. You can use your finger to redefine their shape! This is especially important for visible strands like face-framing curls.
Once your hair is completely dry, use your hands to gently re-scrunch all of your hair. This will help remove any ‘crunchy’ textures and reduce lingering frizz!
Step 5: Repeat
Congratulations! You’ve now kickstarted your curly-haired journey. Moving forward, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Don’t brush your hair when it’s dry. If you need to tame it, use a wide-tooth comb like the CP Detangling Comb and work it through very slowly.
- Try your best to avoid any heat tools (other than a blow dryer with a diffuser attachment). This can slow down your process!
- Consider wearing a headscarf or bonnet to bed to prevent flattening and breakage at night.
And, most importantly, don’t give up! It can take a few months (or even longer) to maximize this newfound texture, so trust the process and remember: the results will be worth it!
Our All About the Curls 25% OFF campaign is LIVE now through April 29th! If you’ve been looking for a sign to embrace your inner curls, this is it. Just be sure to use code, “CURLY25” at checkout!
We always love hearing your Colorproof stories, so don’t forget to share your journey with us on Instagram and TikTok (@colorproofhair) using the hashtag #ColorproofHair. See you there!
Xx,
Colorproof