Washing curls » This is what you should keep in mind as a curly girl ✓

Do you dream of this as a curly-haired person? Simply washing your hair like you see in advertisements? Shampoo, rinse, rub dry with a towel, comb, style, done!

But when it comes to washing natural curls, you can only dream of that! Unfortunately, if you care for your curls as described above, your gorgeous curls can quickly turn into a nightmare.

Despite the desire for long, full hair,

• brittle strands,
• limp curls,
• frizz
• and hair breakage quickly become your daily companions, preventing healthy hair growth.

The fact is: Curly hair has its own needs and requires special care to stay healthy and reach its full potential.

But the common hair washing routines that we often learned as children and perhaps never questioned are usually only tailored to the needs of straight hair . Many "do's" for straight hair are actually real "don'ts" for curly hair!

But don't worry, it's not hopeless! Even a hard-to-tame, straw-like mane of curls can be transformed into a real curly dream with the right hair washing routine .

One of the most effective methods for caring for curly hair is the Curly Girl Method . It can enhance your curls and waves using natural and herbal hair care products

• keep healthy,
• define according to type
• and take it to whole new heights.

So, do you want to try washing your hair using the Curly Girl method and experience a whole new feeling of curls? Perfect! Then let's get started!

Expert tip: You'll see, washing curly hair isn't magic and with the right technique and the right curl products, it's really easy! So, get to those curls! :)

How do I wash my curls properly? Our step-by-step guide

In order for curls to shine in all their glory , you need the right washing routine . Here are 5 steps for a gentle and curl-friendly hair wash.

1. Choose a suitable shampoo

Regular shampoos are often touted in advertisements as the holy grail of hair care. However, these products usually do not have the desired effect on naturally curly hair.

Their ingredients are often far too harsh and the shampoos do not adequately address the needs of sensitive curly hair. You may have already noticed that your curls are becoming duller and lifeless over time.

That's why a solution must be found! A truly suitable, optimal shampoo for natural curls should be tailored to the specific requirements of your curls and strengthen your natural curls .

The Curly Girl Method , for example, recommends using a shampoo that

• without sulfates,
• silicones
• and parabens.

These ingredients can dry out the hair and lead to frizz and brittleness . Many organic shampoos for curls meet the requirements of the Curly Girl method.

Shampoos for dry curls gently provide the hair with an extra portion of moisture . This can be nourishing, plant-based oils, for example.

In addition, the ingredients restore the natural balance of the scalp , because a healthy scalp also means healthy hair. An example of a wonderfully gentle and moisturizing curl shampoo is the Sumilayi Ooh So Soft Curls Hydrating Shampoo .

However, if you want more elasticity in your curls , a protein shampoo can give your curls a new lease of life. It contains additional proteins that strengthen the hair and protect it from damage. A popular power pack when it comes to protein shampoo for curls is the deliciously scented Flora & Curl Superfruit Shampoo .

There are also special co-wash products for curly hair that are specifically tailored to the needs of natural curls and contain only a very small amount of mild surfactants. This means that the curls and scalp are cleaned ultra gently without removing the natural oils.

This is precisely why the co-washing method is ideal, alternating with a curly shampoo suitable for the Curly Girl method . One of our absolute favorites in this area is the stimulating Tropikal Bliss Spicy Wasabi Co-Wash .

Another essential for healthy curls is deep cleansing shampoos . As curly heads, our hair needs a lot of care to stay happy and healthy, which in turn promotes build-up.

To effectively remove care residues and deposits, the occasional use of a cleansing and clarifying shampoo with plant-based surfactants is a blessing for your curls.

One of our go-to products for deep cleansing is the Bounce Curl Gentle Clarifying Shampoo with 100% natural citrus scent.

Ultimately, it's important that you find the curl shampoo that best suits your curl type and individual needs. Just try out different products and pay attention to how your curls react to them.

By washing your hair properly with a shampoo for curly hair, your beautiful curls will be brought back to life and you can look forward to a stunning mane full of bounce and definition.

If you don't want to spend ages searching the shelves or the internet for suitable shampoos for the Curly Girl Method, then our Lockenbox subscription can save you a lot of time and hassle. Because we're happy to do this work for you!

It is our passion and we are dedicated to finding only the best and highest quality products for curly and naturally wavy and frizzy hair and putting them together in a wonderful package for you every month.

The great thing is that the products are delivered to your home automatically every 4 weeks or every 8 or 12 weeks. It all depends on your personal needs! Are you curious? Then find out more about the monthly curl box subscription full of curl care treasures here.

2. Wet hair thoroughly

Before washing your hair, thoroughly wet it with warm water. The wetter your hair is, the better the shampoo can work and remove dirt and build-up with ease.

3. Gently massage the shampoo into the scalp

Even the best shampoo needs to be used well and with the right technique. It is recommended to first lather a small amount of curl shampoo in the palms of your hands and then gently apply it to the scalp.

The shampoo can then be massaged into the scalp with your fingers. This way, even the areas on the top of your head that quickly get greasy receive effective cleansing .

If you like it particularly luxurious, you can also try the soothing Rainbow Curls Scalp Massaging Brush . With it

• your scalp receives a real wellness massage,
• which promotes blood circulation
• and thus health
• and improves the appearance of your hair.

Expert tip : When shampooing, make sure that the hair cleanser is not applied directly to the lengths of the hair to avoid unnecessary drying out.

4. Rinse the shampoo under running water

Once the shampoo has been massaged in well, it's time to rinse. Take your time with this too, because thorough rinsing is important.

1. Gently stroke your hands from the roots to the tips
2. and gently squeeze the strands of hair while the running water runs through your hair.

You want to make sure that all of the shampoo is removed and that no shampoo residue is left in the hair. Once the water runs clear , you are ready for the next step .

5. Use a conditioner

The conditioner for curls is an essential part of washing hair according to the Curly Girl method. This curl care product moisturizes and serves to make your hair smoother and shinier .

1. To use the conditioner correctly, you should first squeeze excess water out of your hair after washing.
2. Then apply a generous amount of conditioner and distribute it gently throughout your hair.

This is also the perfect time to detangle your hair . You can do this either with your fingers or with our wide-toothed Rainbow Curls curling comb .

Once your hair is free of tangles, you can leave the conditioner in for a few minutes before rinsing it thoroughly with water.

There are also leave-in conditioners for curls , but we are talking about a completely different product . If you still have questions about conditioners for curls, then take a look at our guide on this topic! You might even find out one or two insider tips. What is a conditioner? Effects and application .

How to dry curls properly after washing - How to do it

To dry curls properly , there are a few tips and tricks that will help you achieve beautiful curls with bounce and definition.

1. Curly hair should never be vigorously wrung out or rubbed dry with a terry towel , as this will destroy the curl definition and may even damage the delicate hair structure of curly hair.
   
   
2. Instead, you can gently squeeze the water out of your hair using a microfiber towel or a T-shirt cloth . Special T-shirt towels are also really pretty and super practical, such as the Rainbow Curls "Like a T-shirt" Curl Towel . It fits perfectly and defines each strand thanks to its absorbent material.
   
   
3. But the plopping method is also an ideal way to dry hair with natural curls .
   
   
4. If possible, you can then let your hair air dry . However, during the drying time you should be careful not to constantly touch your hair or move it back and forth, as this will destroy the curl structure and make your hair unsightly frizzy.
   
   
5. An alternative is to use a hairdryer with a diffuser attachment . The strands are carefully placed in the diffuser and blow-dried at a lukewarm temperature without kneading or pressing them too hard.

How often should I wash my curls?

It is not possible to say exactly how often you need to wash your hair if you have curly hair, as it depends on various factors.

• Your hair type and condition,
• but also your activity level
• and your own well-being

have an influence on how often washing your hair makes sense for you.

Expert tip: Washing curls every day is rather stressful for naturally dry curls and should be avoided if possible.

Here are a few examples of "hair washing frequencies" that are successfully used by curly-haired people.

Wash your hair every 2-3 days:

This rather shorter time interval between washes makes sense if your hair gets greasy quickly or if you like to use heavy oils and leave-ins.

To avoid build-up, washing your hair every 2-3 days can be very suitable for some curlies. For a clean hair feeling, we can highly recommend the Fix My Curls Cleansing Shampoo .

Wash your hair once a week:

This time period can be a good option if your hair and scalp tend to be dry easily. This will give your scalp's natural oils enough time to keep your hair hydrated and healthy.

To ensure that all product buildup is effectively removed with less frequent washing, a deep cleansing shampoo can be used once a month.

A stronger, yet nourishing shampoo that also refreshes and cleanses your scalp is the wonderfully minty Inahsi Naturals Soothing Mint Clarifying Shampoo .

Less than once a week:

It may not be suitable for all curly heads, but some curlies wash their hair with shampoo less than once a week.

Hair types that tend to be very dry can particularly benefit from this washing routine and successfully restore the moisture balance of their hair and scalp. In the case of very dry hair, it is also advisable to use the gentle co-washing method in addition to using shampoo.

The luxurious Innersense Organic Pure Harmony Hairbath is ideal for this purpose, as it pampers your hair and scalp with many high-quality plant substances.

Expert tip : In the end, the frequency of washing curly hair always depends on various factors.

The activity, the condition of the hair and individual preferences all play a role - i.e. the washing frequency you feel most comfortable with! Because that's what ultimately matters! :)

Conclusion

As you can see, natural curls and natural waves have their own personality and among us curlies, every head of curls is different. Washing natural curls using the Curly Girl method can effectively help you get the best out of your curls.

It’s all about

• to gently cleanse the hair,
• supply moisture and nutrients
• and thus promote the natural curl structure
• and keep healthy.

By giving your curls what they need, you'll see them come back to life and shine to their full potential. So start your hair washing journey of discovery today and find the methods and shampoos that make your curls happy!

FAQ

Can I wash my curls with just conditioner?

You often read the recommendation on the internet to only wash curls with conditioner , but we are not really convinced by this. Not every curl conditioner is suitable as a shampoo replacement and the product itself is not designed to remain in the hair permanently. The result can be heavy and stringy hair , which can cause the curls to hang out a lot .

Much better suited are special co-washing conditioners that can be used alternately with a curly hair shampoo to get rid of dirt and deposits between washes. This way, you don't have to go without a clean hair feeling even if you wash your hair less often.

An ultra-gentle cream-based curl cleanser that is even suitable for daily use and could become your new co-washing favorite is, as mentioned above, the stimulating Tropikal Bliss Spicy Wasabi Co-Wash .

How often should I wash my hair using the Curly Girl Method?

The Curly Girl Method often recommends washing your hair once a week . But as you learned above, there are several factors that play a role. Basically, it is best to wash your hair when:

· they are dirty
· Residues or build-up are present
· the scalp itches
· for excessively oily scalp.

Try out which time period is good for your hair and which is best suited to your personal everyday routine.