Change isn't always easy
Being curly or embracing your curls again can be tough for anyone. Hair is one of those things that can brighten up your mood when it falls just the way you want it to, or, it can make you crazy when your hair just wants to do what it wants. Of course, when your hair texture is changing, it can present some difficulty in understanding what it needs and wants, and can be life-changing literally-- you may need to change up the amount of time you spend giving your hair love and care. But your hair is like a plant: with consciousness and attention, you can find what it needs to grow and thrive!
But when starting out, it's hard to know what you really need versus what you don't. There are so many different channels to get info from, but filtering through it can be a job on its own. Some people can become overwhelmed with researching and knowing who/what to trust with your tresses.
When you know better, you do better
Have no fear, the Charlotte Noire team is here, providing some tips that shouldn't be ignored because every person with textured hair can use them at any point in their journey. Of course, these tips assist in finding your unique path, but we strongly recommend booking a free consultation, where we can share the info you need like the porosity of your hair, styles to carry you through transitions and products that will aid in your curl goals. All of this and more is offered with the health of your hair taking center-stage.
When you know better, you do better, and you and your curls deserve the best. So, let's jump into the tips you came for!
Switch up your products, especially shampoo with sulfates
Changing products is always tough. There's a lot of money that goes into them, so it's really disappointing when they just don't work the way you'd hoped. But there are some products that you will automatically have to part ways with. Along with any product where water is not listed in the ingredients, shampoos with sulfates are a huge no.
Sulfates strip the hair cuticle of dirt and oils for cleansing, but your hair shaft needs some of its natural moisture and oils to remain healthy. Additionally, sulfates can leave the scalp severely dried-out and prone to irritation.
Charlotte Noire Curl Shampoo is a light-weight, residue-free Curl Shampoo featuring soothing marigold extract that will help improve the state of your scalp and hydrate your strands. Shea butter softens hair and promotes healing, while vitamin E gives shine, smoothes frizz and stimulates growth, while vegetable keratin strengthens and promotes elasticity to prevent breakage.
Towel-drying your hair
Cotton towels may feel good to your skin, but not to your hair. The coarse texture and dryness of cotton towels can worsen split ends, cause craters along the hair shaft, weaken hair and ultimately causes frizz.
Instead, opt for plopping your hair with a t-shirt or, try our THICKE towel. Made from microfiber, these towels will remove excess water without drying out your hair.
For the love of curls, sleep on satin
If you sleep on cotton pillowcases, it essentially has the same effect as using a cotton towel.
Fortunately, you can change your pillowcase or choose to cover your hair.
Satin pillowcases and bonnets make it easier to keep hair healthy and hydrated due to their low friction, breathability and hypoallergenic nature.
Cut the dead weight
We've said it a million times and we'll say it again: get regular trims. We know how difficult it can be when you want to grow out your tresses. But the cold, hard truth is that holding on to dead or damaged ends is only stunting your hair's growth. Let go of the dead weight and see how your curls are healthier, bouncier and generally more joyful. They will also be stimulated to grow!
While you may not need to trim every 6 - 8 weeks, we recommend trimming at least once every 3 months.
Comparison is the thief of all joy
When starting out on your curl journey, it can be easy to compare your hair to others'. If we can encourage anything in you, let it be that you don't let comparison steal your joy or the love you have for your curls.
Every curl is as unique as the person who wears them. Just like all people don't need the same things, all curls don't need the same things either. Hair grows at different rates and requires different things to promote that growth. Your curls are as beautiful and unique as you are, so please, don't compare.
This leads us to our final tip for this article...
Give yourself time to learn
Learning to take care of your hair is a lot like learning a language (and in many cases, you will learn to speak Curl, with all the various terminology associated with it).
You wouldn't visit a new country and expect to fluently speak the local language in the first days that you arrive; unless you've already been taking lessons, you enroll in language classes where teachers give you the building blocks you need to eventually put together and have a conversation.
It's the same idea when it comes to your hair. As your texture is growing and evolving, you will learn the products that it responds best to; you will learn what the LOC method is, why protective styles are great for getting a break in doing your hair and important to hair health, and so much more! But it takes time. Don't pressure yourself to have it all figured out too quickly. Your curls will feel the stress. Instead, do your research and take time to practice and test what you know is safe. If you aren't sure, a consultation with a curl expert/stylist is strongly recommended. That way, you can build a solid care routine with someone who has experience. You may even want to take your journey with them!