When you have curly hair, wash day takes on a whole new level of importance. Nailing your wash day routine will help you maintain your natural curls. We’re taking you through everything you need to know so that you can master the art of ‘wash day’ to look after your hair between trips to the salon.
Different Curl Patterns
Before we can jump into looking at what your ‘wash day’ is, you want to understand what your curl pattern is. Knowing this will help you decide which products to use and how to style your hair. Curl types are one of the biggest debates within the hair industry with everyone having their own thoughts about how to define hair types.
There are four types of curl patterns that are universally recognized and characterized by the shape of the hair follicle.
Type 1 is straight hair.
Type 2 is wavy hair that is bendable and has a recognizable ‘s’ pattern, laying close to your head.
Type 3 is curly hair that can go from loose hoops to tight ringlets. This curly hair type often prone to fizziness.
Type 4 is coily hair is often referred to as being an ‘afro-textured' hair type. This hair is naturally dry, with tight curls.
Within these types, you’ll find sub-classifications that go from A to C, dictating the diameter or width of your curly hair. If you’re struggling to determine the exact type of your curl, we can give you advice during your next visit to Lumie Salon.
Why ‘Wash Day’ is Important
You want to think of wash day as a ritual instead of a routine. It’s not only part of your hair care routine but also a part of your self-care. You can use wash day as a chance to reconnect with yourself and give your curly hair some TLC.
With beauty trends evolving, there’s a growing movement – ushered in by the pandemic – of embracing your natural hair. Wash day is a way of taking care of your hair and having pride in your naturally curly hair.
Your Wash Day Routine
Your hair care routine should be specific to you and your curly hair. While there are certain products you want to use for your specific curl pattern,
these steps below are virtually universal.
Before you pick up your bottle of shampoo, you want to add in a first step. Using a conditioner or hair oil will help give your scalp an extra boost of hydration, which is a must-have for dry and curly hair. When you use a pre-treatment on your hair, it helps to detangle and soften your curls. If you have the time, it’s worth letting the pre-treatment sit in your hair for 10 – 20 minutes before shampooing.
When you’re choosing your shampoo, look out for sulfate-free formulas with natural ingredients. You can add in a curl cleaner along with your shampoo to help remove build-up from your hair.
Conditioner is your BFF when you have curly hair. After shampooing, you want to use a deep conditioner to restore the moisture and nutrients in your hair. If you skip your conditioner, your curls could end up feeling dry and become prone to breakage.
You can add an extra step and use a hair mask for extra TLC and lock in the moisture for your hair to give it a natural shine.
Got any questions about how to care for curly hair? Drop us a comment below or reach out to us at info@lumiesalon.com