Managing my kinky curly hair has been a journey filled with learning. My hair type is 4A, which means it’s high porosity and can often be super dry due to being chemically-treated, bleached, and toned. I follow a night-time routine that takes about 24 hours to complete, starting with a pre-wash to get my hair ready.
I focus on detangling before I apply my quick shampoo and conditioner. After that, I use a vinegar-rinse to remove buildup and balance the pH of my hair, giving it a nice shine. A deep conditioner is essential for keeping my hair healthy. I also love using the LOC method, where I layer a leave-in conditioner, followed by olive oil, and then a cream to lock in moisture and stop hair damage.
Understanding the right curl types and their texture has helped me adapt my routine to achieve flawless curls that look great every day.
Transform Your Kinky Curls: The Ultimate Care Routine Revealed:
PRE-WASH
When I have the next day off, I make sure to take time to care for my hair before bed. I start by applying a mix of olive oil and shea-butter to my scalp and hair. This helps to break up the sebum oil that my scalp naturally produces. I section my hair into 4 sections and focus on the mid-shaft to the ends of my hair.
After I apply the oil, I twist each section and cover my hair with a shower cap before going to sleep. This prewash step is vital for keeping my curls healthy and ready for styling.
Conditioning and Detangling Your Hair
To keep my hair healthy, I need to combat the issues that come with being porous. When my hair dries out, it gets full of tangles, so I always start by using a silicone-free conditioner. I divide my hair into 4 sections to make the process easier. After applying the conditioner, I use a tangle-teaser brush to gently comb through the tangles.
This helps to keep my hair smooth. Once I’m done detangling, I rinse my hair with warm water or hot water to make sure the conditioner is fully washed out, leaving my curls ready for the next step in my routine.
The Shampoo Step for Healthy Curls
After conditioning, it’s time to use shampoo. I like to dilute my shampoo with water to make it gentler. I only apply the shampoo mixture to my scalp because that’s where the oil and dirt build up.
I take my time to scrub it in, making sure to clean thoroughly without disturbing my hair too much. After I’m done, I rinse my scalp with hot water or warm water to remove all the shampoo. This method keeps my curls looking great while ensuring my scalp is clean and healthy.
VINEGAR-RINSE
Adding a vinegar rinse to my hair routine has been a new and exciting step. This rinse removes buildup from products and dirt while helping to balance the pH of my hair, giving it a beautiful shine. I start by keeping my hair in 4 sections for easy application. I squeeze the vinegar from the bottle onto my scalp and work it down to the ends.
Then, I gently scrub my scalp and use a comb to distribute it under warm water. After I finish rinsing, my hair feels fresh and ready for the deep conditioner, making it a key part of my regimen for flawless curls.
DEEP CONDITION
To keep my curls looking their best, I alternate between a moisturizing deep conditioner and a protein-rich conditioner every different week. After washing my hair, I apply a generous amount of the deep conditioner in 4 sections. Then, I cover my hair with a shower cap and leave it on for 20 minutes.
When I rinse it out, I use lukewarm water and finish with a splash of cold water. The cold water helps to seal the cuticles, giving my hair a beautiful shine and locking in the benefits of the conditioner. I make sure not to rinse completely, leaving just enough so my hair feels soft and has that lovely silk texture.
LOC STYLING
For beautiful and defined curls, I love using the LOC method, which stands for leave-in-conditioner, oil, and cream. After washing my hair, I apply my favorite styling product while I’m still in the shower.
My hair needs to be wet for the best results, so I use Only as my leave-in-conditioner because it has an amazing smell and a nice texture that’s silicone-free. I distribute it evenly throughout my hair with a tangle-teaser brush.
Next, I move to the oil step and use shea-butter, rubbing it all over my hair and combing it through. My hair should be dripping wet to achieve those defined curls, so if needed, I will re-wet my hair during this process.
For the cream step, I apply Kérastase Elixir Ultime Le Masque, a heavier product that gives extra moisture. I prefer to dry my hair with a cotton t-shirt instead of regular towels to avoid the comb-like texture that creates extra frizz. I even wrap a cotton scarf around my neck to catch any excess water, making my curls look flawless.
NIGHT-TIME ROUTINE
To add volume to my hair while I sleep, I skip the hair pick and use rubber bands instead. I tie my hair into 6 sections, which reminds me of Pippi Longstocking! Before I go to bed, I wrap a silk scarf around my hair to keep it safe and smooth.
In the morning, when I wake up, I gently take out the rubber bands and fluff my curls by shaking my hair with my hands. This way, my hair looks full and bouncy for the next day, making my curls even more beautiful and defined.
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