Hair feel like straw? Ends make a "snap, crackle, and pop" sound when you comb through your hair? Struggle with split ends, tangles, and fairy knots? These are all signs that your curls are in desperate need of some hydration and moisture.
Most people think that when your curls are dry, you need to use more products. We're here to tell you that quenched curls are most likely a sign that you're applying your hair products in the wrong order (or completely missing a step).
Black Vanity has an easy 4-step method that works for almost every curl type. Let's get into it ...
Step #1: Hydrate
The only thing that can hydrate your hair is water. Before styling your curls, you should wash your hair or use a spray bottle to spray water on your hair until it's damp.
Hydration is essential for hair growth and maintaining healthy curls. Please do not skip this step.
Step #2: Moisturize
Now that your hair is hydrated from the water you applied to it, it's time to lock in that hydration with a moisturizer (leave-ins, creams, milks, etc.).
By applying your moisturizers in this step, you will keep the water from leaving your hair shaft as it dries. This is essential for keeping your curls hydrated even if they aren't wet.
Step #3: Set & Define
Now that your curls are hydrated and moisturized, it's time to use a styling product to define your curls and/or set in your style. In this step, you will apply your mousse, foam, gel, custards, and/or curl definers.
This step is essential for keeping your hair hydrated, moisturized, and styled for longer periods of time. So, if you're struggling to keep styles for longer than 1 or 2 days... you probably need to add a styler to your routine.
If you're doing a braid or twist-out, you should braid/twist your hair after this step.
Step #4: Seal
Now that you hair is hydrated, moisturized, and styled, it's time to seal in all those products you just used. This is where your hair oil comes in! Adding oil to your hair in this step will keep all of the nutrients and vitamins locked into your curls and provide a barrier against dirt and weather elements (sun, wind, dry climates, etc.).
OIL DOES NOT MOISTURIZE YOUR HAIR, but it does help to keep your hair moisturized when you apply it on top of your moisturizing products. This is why oil should be the last step in your curly hair routine.
Be sure to apply oil to both your scalp and your curls for the best results.
Give this method a try and let us know how it worked for you in the comments!