Curly hair is thirsty hair. That’s just the way it was born and the way it will always be. That’s why deep conditioning at least one to two times per week is critical for gorgeous, shiny curls that blow gently in the wind (as opposed to dry, crispy curls that don’t move). It was also one the top things I did when I was growing my chemically straightened hair out to go back to my natural curls. I was religious about it and I swear, once I started deep conditioning as much as possible, my curls grew faster than they had before. Here are my top tips for deep conditioning your curls.
1. Choose a rich conditioner
No lightweight will do here. Find one that’s rich and thick. I’m beyond obsessed with Heaven in Hair. It fills the porous areas on the surface of the hair so it stays super hydrated. This is key especially if you color your hair.
2. Lay it on thick
Apply deep conditioner to wet hair and don’t leave one curl uncovered. In fact, I like it when I can barely see my brown strands through the deep layer of conditioner I’ve applied. And don’t skimp on the ends since they’re the driest part of the hair.
3. Cover it up
To keep the conditioner from getting all over you and let it warm up a bit, slip on a shower cap. (I take them from hotel rooms when I travel.) You can also wrap your hair in plastic wrap or a warm, damp towel. Keep this on for at least 15 minutes.
4. Heat it up
For best results, you need some heat to help open the cuticle of the hair so the conditioner soaks in. Try sitting in a steamy bath or shower or waving a blow dryer over your cap-covered head. My favorite way to deep condition is to sit under my table-top hooded dryer. I use the Gold N Hot Elite 1875 Watt Ionic Full Hood Professional Hair Dryer and I stay as long as I can stand it before getting overheated (about ten minutes).
5. Sleep on it
Once in a while, it’s a great idea to snooze with your deep conditioner in your hair. Not only is the conditioner in longer, but it warms up from your body heat as you sleep. This was another of my top tricks when I was growing out my chemically straightened hair. Just use an old pillow case and sleep on it that night.
6. DIY
For a do it yourself recipe try the Wrapunzel from Curly Girl: The Handbook. Put a ripe avocado in the blender along with three to four teaspoons of honey or agave and three to four teaspoons of olive oil. Blend until combined and spread on hair. Cover with plastic wrap or a towel wrapped turban style. After 20 – 30 minutes, rinse thoroughly.
This entry was posted on Friday, August 10th, 2012 at 11:30 am and is filed under Care Methods, Conditioning, Curly Hair (Type 3a), Curly Hair (Type 3b), Curly Kinky Hair (Type 3c). You can follow any comments to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a comment. Pinging is currently not allowed.
August 12th, 2012 at 11:44 am
Coconut oil is the new must-have for curly hair. Make sure it is pure, so go to a good health food store and read labels. I condition with this about once a month. I slather it on while it is solid. i would not recommend melting it, as it is just too messy. Work it into the hair by taling small chunks of the solidified oil and rubbing it in your palms, which will soften it first. Then, work it into your hair from the ends up. I sleep with it on and shampoo in the morning.
August 14th, 2012 at 6:54 am
Again NC.com & Michele Bender, PLEASE begin to do some research before your postings. #5 is a BIG NO!! There is no need to sleep with conditioner in the hair-all is required is to follow the instructions on the bottle. No matter the disclaimers (“this works FOR ME” & “my hair feels so soft”), the purpose of conditioners is done per the instructions on the bottle; overnight conditioning is overkill & unnecessary!! There is PLENTY of research out there to support this & it is time for NC.com to begin to research this info instead of repeating what “pseudo-home chemists & beauticians” are erroneously saying.
See Stickbaby’s comment above ref coconut oil. For HAIR SHAFT PENETRATING conditioning treatments-curly (or any hair type) girls should use coconut oil, olive oil OR avocado oil (no need to mix all together)!! These oils, PER RESEARCH, penetrate the hair shaft to make it healthier. Use either on dry hair prior to shampoo or after conditioning prior to adding hair products. So NC.com & Michele Bender-please post AFTER you do your research!!
August 18th, 2012 at 8:03 pm
You are totally WRONG. Sleeping with a deep conditioner on my hair has changed my hair from frizzy to AMAZING. It is a top tip i give all my CURLY FRIENDS and so many of them agree. I love this tip and NC.