5 Ways to Keep Curly Natural Hair Moisturized
If you have curly natural hair, you may be struggling to keep your hair moisturized.
Curls need moisture to thrive, and if you’re suffering from breakage or your hair has no bounce … dryness could be the #1 reason.
It’s difficult for curly hair to hang on to moisture because of all the tight curls. And the kinkier your hair is, the faster it can develop dryness.
If you’re suffering from dryness, pay close attention to how your hair handles water and product.
Does it absorb water and product easily and then become dry a few hours later? If so, you have high porosity hair.
To combat dryness, hydrate your high porosity hair with water, then seal the cuticle shut right afterward with Mango Moringa Moisture Max Styling Cream and Gel.
If you can’t seem to get water and product into your hair at all, you may have low porosity hair.
Get heat from a warm shower to open the cuticle on low porosity hair before you apply product. Then allow the cold air to naturally seal the cuticles shut when you get out of the shower.
Here are five ways to keep your natural hair moisturized:
Way #1: Get as Much Water As Possible for Your Natural Hair
Plain water is one of the most underestimated beauty items on the planet, and many naturals overlook what it does for hair.
Before you look to spend money on more products or oils, look for ways to get more water into your hair and body.
Grow stronger, healthier, and more elastic hair by hydrating your body. Drink 8-12 cups of quality water throughout the day to grow better hair from the root.
With water, your scalp and follicles will improve, and your hair will grow in healthier.
Apply water to your strands more often too. You don't need to use shampoo or conditioner more than once or twice per week, but you can take frequent water-only showers.
If your curls are extremely dry and breaking, try doing water rinses every day.
A warm water rinse in the shower will open the cuticles, and your hair will get a good dose of daily moisture.
Plus, using water only means your hair won’t be smothered under product build-up. It’s just pure hydration only.
If it takes too much time to rinse your hair every day, another method you can do is to spray your hair with water or aloe vera juice daily.
Daily hydration is your key to keeping moisture on your curls, so make sure you water your hair every day.
Way #2: Use Moisture-Rich Hair Products
Many shampoos dry out curly and natural hair. One of the best ways to get rid of dryness is to use moisturizing hair products.
You can even moisturize your hair while you cleanse by using a moisturizing shampoo.
If you add moisture during the cleansing phase, you can bypass a lot of the tangles, dryness, and breakage that would normally occur during this stage.
Follow the cleanse with a high-moisture conditioner while you detangle gently.
Then, lock in the moisture with moisturizing styling cream and gel.
Follow the above steps every seven days for highly moisturized, curly natural hair.
Way #3: Deep Condition Once or Twice Per Month
Doing regular deep conditioning treatments is a great way to stay on top of moisture. Deep conditioning allows your strands to soak in hair softeners and nutrients. Always choose water-based conditioners and get them with as few chemicals as possible. You can also try making your own.
Heat is the best way to get deep conditioners to work, especially if you have low porosity hair. But even if you have high porosity hair, you’ll find that your conditioners work much better.
You can add heat by placing a shower cap over your head and a Turban Towel over it to trap in body heat.
Another way to add heat is by soaking your hair in product and then using an overhead dryer to heat the conditioner. However, be careful not to let the appliance dry the product onto your hair. This could cause your hair to become dry. It is a dry heat tool, after all.
Way #4. Avoid Friction and Drying Fabrics on Your Curls
Friction is something that a lot of naturals don’t think about, but it can make or break your curls. Literally!
When you have something rubbing up against your hair, you’re going to have some of the moisture rub off too. Friction can easily cause frizz and make you lose your definition and hair elasticity.
Here are three ways to reduce friction:
Use Snappee Hair Ties for Puffs. Always avoid abrasive hair ties and other accessories. Snappee Hair Ties are made of stretchy yoga pants material, so they are soft on your curls.
Dry Your Hair with a Frizz Reducing Turban Towel. Avoid cotton towels when drying your hair. They were made to absorb moisture and remove all the hydration. Instead, dry your hair with a soft, frizz-reducing Turban Towel instead.
Use a Satin Bonnet (aka sleep cap) Every Night. Have you noticed that the back of your hair looks frizzy and damaged? This is a result of not resting your head on satin or silk fabric. Always use a satin Nighttime Bonnet or Headscarf to reduce friction and retain moisture.
Way #5. Steam Your Curly Natural Hair For a Mid-Week Moisture Boost
Hair steaming is getting BIG among naturals. It lets in moderate heat to open the cuticles and allows small droplets of water to reach the shaft.
You can do steaming midweek without having to step into the shower and completely submerge your head in water. It will save your hair between styles and allow you to refresh your curls without the hassle of a full wash day.
Using a handheld steamer will allow you to focus on certain parts of your hair where you’re having problems. Is your crown hair breaking too much? Place the steamer there for more time than you would for other sections.
If you really want more moisture for your curly natural hair, and you're ready for more curl definition, join me!