The 411 on Curly Hair Care

Want nourished, moisturised, frizz free curls? Look no further…

Anyone who has curly hair knows how hard it can be to find curly hair products that make your curls look their best, not flat, frizzy, weighed down or fluffy. With so many different curly hair products on the market , it can be hard to find the best product for your curly hair type.  

We asked Monique McMahon, founder of QUE Colour in Darlinghurst for her advice on curl care ahead of the much anticipated launch of Christophe Robin new Luscious Curls range. She pulled together your most asked CURL-Q’s to provide some insight on how to improve your hair strength, hair shine and help you love your curls even more!

Why is my curly hair frizzy? 

Curls, waves and coils require special attention. Due to the hair’s natural shape, curls tend to be more fragile and much drier than straight hair as it’s harder for sebum to fully penetrate the lengths and ends of the hair. The tighter the curl pattern, the more challenging it is for oils to travel down the hair shaft. As a result, the cuticles stay open and lack nutrition, leaving hair porous and dry and curls can become unstructured and frizzy. 

This is why curls commonly crave moisture and nutrition! 

What products should I avoid for my curly hair ? 

In haircare, there are some ingredients we call CURL-KILLERS. These are common and often found in Shampoo and Conditioner. Curl killers include Parabens, Sulphates and the mortal enemy… Silicones.

Silicone-based products wreak havoc on curly hair, as the product sits on top of the hair and stops moisture from entering the follicle. This makes them a big NO for any hair type, but especially curls who need that extra hydration. Thicker silicones, such as dimethicones, which are often found in leave-in treatments and serums, can build up along the hair cuticle over time like a film and require clarifying shampoos for removal, which can leave your hair feeling weighed down and dull because the silicone coating attracts debris and dirt. 

How to look out for silicones:

Firstly check to see if there are any features on the product which say “silicone free” if it isn’t obvious check the ingredients! Yes these words are a mouthful, but once you know what to look for you won’t make the same mistake twice! 

• Cetyl Dimethicone
• Dimethicone
• Cetearyl Methicone
• Trimethylsilylamodimethicone
• Amodimethicone

The shift to silicone free products may take a few washes to get used to as you remove existing build up, but believe us when we say that once you are silicone free you won't look back!

What sort of products does my curly hair need? 

With curly hair, you’ll always want to focus on products that help add moisture to the hair and avoid any hair product that’s going to dry out or weigh hair down

• Wavy/ light curly hair will often have a relaxed ‘s'’ shape or beach wave pattern. For this hair type, heavy products can weigh down and straighten curls. For this hair type the best go-to is products that have a lightweight hydration, enhance curl and tame frizz. 

• Very Curly to Coil hair has a tight corkscrew-like or ‘Z’ shaped zig zag curl pattern, These types of curls are usually thin and fragile and can be unruly/more susceptible to breakage. Tight and curly coils need deep hydration for maximum softness and strength. 

Is Shampoo Good or Bad for Curly Hair? 

If we’re getting real with you, every person's curls are SO unique that it really comes down to what works best for your hair type. From a professional point of view, it is beneficial to cleanse your hair at least once a week. This is essential to scalp health and to remove build up of existing products on the hair! 

Now for the exciting part:

Christophe Robin has just launched the ultimate CURL CLEANSER. This hybrid curl cleanser/ curl nourisher gives very curly to coily hair the nourishment it needs to thrive. The Magic Formula is generous and rich, inspired by skincare. The non lathering balm instantly cleanses and offers deep nourishment, definition and manageability to curls, and coils.

- Silky chia seed oil, rich in omega 3 & 6, boosts glossy shine

- Sustainably sourced nigella seed oil smooths strands to tame frizz

- A highly nourishing yet lightweight shea butter emollient softens and eases combing

How do I use a conditioning cleanser?

Simply use it like a shampoo – no additional conditioner needed. Apply onto damp hair, working it in from root to tip to cleanse and lather slightly enveloping it in decadent moisture. The thirst-quenching formula transforms into a milky lather as it washes, detangles and conditions so even the driest, most brittle curls feel nourished and defined with a manageable, shiny finish.

Comb through the lengths to detangle before rinsing thoroughly!

When it comes to combing curly hair, use care and use seamless, snag-free combs, and always comb when your hair is still wet. Invest in the best possible quality you can find, we love these scented detangling combs by Ibiza Hair Tools. When detangling your hair after shampooing, use a very wide-tooth comb and detangle gently, section by section! 

We hope this answered some of your curly hair questions!  Remember, every hair type is unique so do what works for you!   Happy hair treating!