Unlocking your curls is no cliche! It’s not old news that a lot of people with type 3 hair struggle to keep their curls in shape.
Regardless of the curly struggles, it is important to know that curly hair is a crowning glory that when unlocked, shows off a lot of its beauty and uniqueness.
Ready to unleash your curls’ full potential? Keep reading to discover 10 sure fire tips that’ll help you care for your type 3 hair, and treat your curls with the undying love they deserve. From hair care secrets to styling tips, the tips in this article will have your curls looking hydrated and defined in no time. Let’s go!
10 tips on caring for type 3 hair
1. Use products formulated for your hair type
Using products made with curly hair in mind is undoubtedly important. Curly hair has a totally different set of needs in comparison to straight or wavy hair. When you’re out there looking out for products formulated for curly hair, zero in on those formulated with moisturizing ingredients, sulfate-free shampoos, curls-defining gels, and creams. These are the tonics that will transform your curls from patchy and unruly, to silky and defined in minutes.
2. Avoid Washing the hair too often
Washing curly hair can be a little tricky. To keep your curls in premium shape, you have to strike a delicate balance. Wash too little and you risk build up and a major gross smell. Wash too much? You’ll strip those curls off their natural oils and hydration.
The secret to avoiding washing too often is finding the perfect middle ground. You want to find that happy medium that’s just right for your curls. Want to know how? Keep reading.
For curly type 3 hair, the use of shampoo on your wash day can be limited to once in two weeks. When time is of the essence and curls need a quick fix, instead of shampooing, you’ll need a cleansing, rinse-out conditioner to save the day. With just one application this super charge conditioner can infuse your curls with a new lease on life, transforming them from dull to shiny, bouncy, and ready to turn heads!
3. Avoid frequent use of heat
When it comes to curly hair, heat styling tools are a no-no. If you want to keep your curls healthy and defined, it is important to stay away from heat styling tools. Some examples of these tools are flat irons, curling irons and high-heat blow-dryers.
Heat can be a real enemy to your curls, and because of that, it is best to choose your gorgeous locs over any heat styling equipment, or any hairstyle that requires heat. Below are some tips to dry your hair without using hot tools.
- Plopping: This involves wrapping hair in a T-shirt or microfiber towel to help absorb excess moisture, yet keeping curls defined.
- Air drying: Simply towel dry your hair and let it air dry naturally.
- Diffusing: Drying your curly hair with a diffuser is a sure fire way to avoid heat damage. Diffusers help to evenly spread heat through your curls, making sure that every strand gets just about the right amount of heat it needs to get fully dry.
With that said, this section of the article is not suggesting that you refrain from trying on a hairstyle that requires heat if you desire it. What we’re saying is, heat shouldn’t be used on your hair all the time. Try to find a healthy balance. Remember; your curls are a priority! Heat free hair = damage free hair!
4. Always keep your hair moisturized
Moisturized curls are happy curls! For luscious, healthy, and well defined curls, remember that moisture is key.
While it may seem like keeping your hair moisturized all the time will demand a lot of energy, it is quite important to note that you can incorporate this activity into your day without feeling drained or bored. With our hare care tips below, say goodbye to dry curls and hello to moisturize bouncy curls.
- Wash hair once a week, or once every two weeks using a sulfate-free shampoo.
- Apply your deep conditioner once a week, or once in every two weeks, as curly hair needs a good conditioner to stay defined.
- Regularly use a leave-in conditioner to prevent breakage and frizz.
- To lock in moisture and maintain curls, dry your hair with a diffuser.
- Aside from wash days use a refreshing spray or mist to spritz your curls.
- Apply hair oils on curls to add shine and lock in moisture.
Maintaining the moisture balance in your curls is vital. By following the above tips, you are sure to keep hair hydrated and often moisturized.
5. Learn how to correctly layer products
Correct layering of your styling products will help to maintain curl definition and reduce frizz, promoting bouncy and shiny curls in the long run. In learning to layer products correctly, start with a cleanser, this could be a co-wash, shampoo, low poo, or a clarifying shampoo.
Next is using a regular conditioner or deep conditioner. After this step, apply a leave-in conditioner, followed by a curl cream or gel. When applying products, make sure to distribute the product evenly on your strands, working your way through from root to tip.
Lastly, add a little quantity of oil to seal in moisture and add shine.
6. Learn how to beat frizz on curly hair
While totally getting rid of frizz is not a guarantee, there are some amazing tips we’ve packed together to bring ease in your journey.
- Always make use of sulfate free shampoo.
- Keep your hair moisturized everyday and every time.
- Prioritize detangling hair in the shower, and with a detangling conditioner that has slip.
- Dry hair gently, either using the air dry or plopping method.
- Avoid excessive heat styling.
- Layer your styling products to promote strong hold and maximum definition.
7. Always keep your hair detangled
When hair is dried, it tends to lose much-needed moisture, becoming more brittle and more prone to tangle. To effectively detangle your hair, pick the right detangling conditioner formulated for curly hair, and work your way gently from the ends of your hair to the roots. Make sure to use a curl-friendly detangling brush and avoid pulling hair too hard to minimize breakage.
In detangling curly hair, there are two basic methods;
- Finger detangling.
- Using a detangling brush or wide tooth comb.
8. Trim your curls regularly
On Average, curly hair should be trimmed at a time frame of 3-6 months. But if you feel your split ends are beginning to cause trouble then it is advisable to go for a trim.
Amongst other benefits, getting a regular trim helps to keep hair in good health, preventing breakage, getting rid of split ends, maintaining hair shape and encouraging hair growth in the long run.
Treat yourself to a trim today, and watch your curls thank you for it!
9. Ensure to use a bonnet before bed
The bonnet may seem small, yet a necessary tool that can work wonders for curly type 3 hair. It may seem like an unimportant task, but trust me, your curls will thank you for giving them a cozy place to rest at night.
A few benefits of using a bonnet include; maintaining curl definition, preventing dryness and breakage, reducing frizz and keeping hydration in check.
10. Love and embrace your hair texture
The road to loving your curly type 3 hair may be challenging but the destination is so worth it. Embracing your curls isn’t just about choosing a certain hairstyle. It is a practice mainly all about loving yourself, and accepting a unique aspect of who you are, being your curls. Believe it or not, every little aspect of our personality, be it physical features or character traits, slowly add up to who we are as individuals. And these traits deserve to be celebrated as they are the full being of what makes us up, and also who we are as well.
And there you have it! 10 whole tips on caring for your type 3 curly hair. We hope that this article has been worth the read, and we believe that you haven’t only learned, but have also been challenged to put what you’ve learnt into effective practice.
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Have a lovely curl care journey, and see you in our next post. Ciao!!
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