Are you finding it hard to manage curly hair? No matter what you do, does it seem not enough, and your bad hair days are on the up and up?
Those with curly hair face a lot of challenges day in and day out. Not only is healthy hair a constant battle, but what to say about tangles, knots, untameable hair, undefined curls, and more?
The good news is you’re not alone, and managing curly hair is easier with these home remedies.
While curly hair looks lovely and has a nice bounce to it, managing it is another thing altogether. Unlike straight hair, healthy curly hair itself needs pampering and care.
On top of that, if you have issues like frizz, unruly hair, tangles or knots, dryness, etc, that are characteristic issues with curly hair, you need help STAT! Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with how to take care of your hair and home remedies that deal with common hair care issues.
So, let’s learn more about curly hair and then move on to the remedies. Shall we?
Understanding Curly Hair
Curly hair is further divided into curly and coily hair, and each is further subdivided into three and two types, respectively, by the hair and curl type.
Curly hair is categorized into A, B & C as loose and defined curls under A, springy and tight ringlets as B, and coarse, tightly packed, and less defined coiled screws as C.
Coily hair is also divided into two types, A and B, with A having tightly packed soils with defined curls, whereas B is Z-shaped, closely packed coils with less defined curl patterns.
Identifying the right type of hair makes it easier to choose the right ingredients or products for your hair. It’s important to know what type your hair comes under, as each type has certain unique aspects and requirements.
Benefits of Using Home Remedies
If you are wondering whether or not choosing home remedies to manage curly hair will be helpful, here are a few reasons you should consider before taking a call:
Home remedies are natural and can be customized according to your requirements and preferences.
They’re prepared using readily available or easily acquirable ingredients
Depending on what ingredients you use, they also promote hair growth, besides helping to manage stubborn curls.
They’re pocket-friendly, and you can pick and choose what works best for you by trial and error.
Precautions to Take
Never use any ingredients you’re allergic to.
Always test for possible allergies through a patch test
Home remedies take longer than over-the-counter products to work, but stop using a remedy if you experience any adverse effects or worsening of symptoms. You can wait even if it looks like nothing changes, but it shouldn’t worsen.
5 Home Remedies to ManageCurly Hair
1. Vegan Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
There are a lot of recipes that include apple cider vinegar for every hair type, but the rinse is one of the simplest ways to incorporate it into your hair care routine.
Ingredients
- Apple Cider Vinegar – 1/2 Cup
- Water – 2 Cups
Steps to follow
Nothing special, just add water and apple cider vinegar to a mug. Shake the mug gently to combine.
Pour the rinse over your head slowly, making sure to cover every part of your hair and scalp.
Wait for a couple of minutes while you gently massage the rinse into your tresses and scalp.
Rinse off with cold water.
How it benefits curly hair
It restores the scalp’s pH balance, detangles hair follicles, and also leaves you soft and shiny hair.
You can use this rinse once or twice a month.
2. Avocado Hair mask
Protein and antioxidant-rich, this mask leaves your soft and silky hair. You can swap yogurt with coconut yogurt for a vegan version.
Ingredients
- Avocado – 1 (Ripe)
- Yogurt – 1/2 Cup
Steps to follow
Mash the avocado or blend it in your mixer with yogurt to a fine paste – or you can add the yogurt after blending it. Done!
Apply the mask to your hair and scalp using a hairbrush, dividing your hair into sections and making sure to cover every part of your scalp.
Wait for at least 30 minutes before washing off.
Shampoo and condition as usual.
How it benefits curly hair
Avocados are rich in Vitamin E and leave your hair and scalp nourished and pampered.
This mask is also rich in protein thanks to the yogurt and moisturizing ingredients that leave you with a healthy scalp and hair.
Can use the mask twice a month.
3. Vegan Flax Mask
For those who don’t want to use avocado and find bananas pesky to clean, this vegan alternative is a great choice.
Ingredients
- Flaxseed Gel – 1/4 Cup
- Fenugreek Powder – 1 Tbsp.
- Coconut Milk – as needed
Steps to follow
Add all the ingredients to a mixing bowl and whisk to combine.
Divide hair into sections and apply the mask without missing any part of your hair or scalp.
Wait for at least 30 minutes before washing off.
Shampoo and condition as usual, and let your hair dry naturally.
How it benefits curly hair
It leaves you with stronger and healthier hair. Nourishes your hair shaft and nurtures from within. Can use the mask once or twice a month.
4. Vegan Hibiscus Mask
A nourishing hair care ingredient, it’s one of the best remedies for curly hair. You can use the flowers and leaves for this mask.
Ingredients
- Hibiscus Leaves – a handful
- Hibiscus Flowers – a handful
- Water
Steps to follow
Grind the leaves and flowers to a fine paste, adding water if needed.
Apply the mask to your hair and scalp and let it sit for a good 30 minutes before rinsing off.
Shampoo and condition the next day.
How it benefits curly hair
It makes your hair softer and more manageable.
It’s also a hair care ingredient that promotes hair growth, curbs hair fall, and keeps hair and scalp healthy.
The mucilage in Hibiscus also gives a nice slip, making it easy to detangle.
You can use the mask twice a month.
5. Beer Rinse
Like apple cider vinegar rinse, beer rinse does a world of good and leaves your hair silky and soft.
Ingredients
Beer – a can
Steps to follow
Nothing special, just pour it over your hair slowly after shampooing and rinse it off after a couple of minutes.
How it benefits curly hair
The ingredients in beer – malt and hop flowers are rich in protein and form a protective coat on your hair.
The nutrients in beer also leave you with soft and silky hair.
It makes your curls defined and manageable.
You can use this twice a month.
Tips for Maintaining Curly Hair
- Use a detangler to detangle gently and prevent hair breakage or damaging hair shafts.
- Use hair masks regularly to nourish and nurture your curls.
- While your scalp produces natural oils, in most cases, you will need additional moisturization for curl locks. So make sure to stay on top of that.
- Do a final rinse with cold water to reduce frizz and make hair softer.
- Try using drinking water to prevent frizz and other issues associated with hard water – just a final rinse with drinking water should help get rid of it.
- Go to bed wearing a silk scarf to prevent moisture loss.
- Keep your hair styling into braids as much as possible to prevent tangling.
- Choose the right products for your hair type for healthy curls and scalp.
- Deep conditioning hot oil massages using jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, or even olive oil can enhance your natural curls and nourish hair roots.
- Be soft and gentle when styling your hair, and always let your hair air dry.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
We all love to care for our crowning glory and keep it healthy. However, there are times when we do things that are harmful unintentionally. Let’s take a look at a few common curly hair mistakes to avoid, shall we?
Beer rinse does help, but don’t go overboard, as alcohol can be drying.
Curly hair loses moisture, and washing it too often is counterproductive even when your hair feels oily – wash it once or twice a week.
Don’t rub your hair with a towel, rather, pat it dry and let your hair air dry after that.
Skipping the conditioner is one mistake many make, never skip your conditioner.
Styling too often and using heat or chemical treatments is harmful to your hair. Keep hair styling treatments to a minimum.
Conclusion
As we always say, do give these remedies a try before you go for commercial products for your hair. These are natural, affordable, and can be customized according to your needs.
Don’t have time for DIY? We’ve got your back with a broad range of premium vegan products from Vitamins Revive. Do check out their online store to know more and see what products are suitable for you.
Feel free to write back to us with any questions, concerns, or requests. We love hearing from our readers. Don’t forget to let us know how you liked these recipes and how they worked out for you.
FAQs
Can I co-wash my hair?
Co-washing is a washing method of washing your hair with conditioner and works well for dry, coily, or curly hair. However, every individual is different, so give it a shot and see how it works for you.
Does salt spray help with curly hair?
Saltwater-like beach hair leaves you with defined curls but also leaves them textured, brittle, and dry. So don’t go overboard and moisturize as needed.
How often can I wash my hair?
It’s a good idea to wash your hair twice or thrice a week.
Can I use rice water on my curly hair?
Yes, rice water is good for every hair type and can even be used daily. It leaves you with moisturized, stronger, and healthier curls that are manageable and bouncy.
