The curly girl’s guide to spring hair care

Having curly hair is one of the most gorgeous and complicated beauty spaces to be in. Does it have to be such a cursed-blessing?

Luckily, spring is hot on our heels (very fiercely if you’re in Gauteng) and we’ve got the goods on how to revive your winter locks for the season.

Why winter is such a tricky time for curly hair

Winter and dryness go hand in hand. Curly hair is prone to dryness because of its shape: our scalps naturally produce oil which travels down the hair shaft, moisturising the hair as it goes. Because of the shape of a curl, it is more difficult for the oil to travel all the way down the length of the hair, which is why curly hair tends to get dry from mid-lengths to ends!

Additionally, when we’re in ‘baby it’s cold outside’ season the humidity drops, and as a result the air draws moisture from anything around it – including your hair.

Spring (almost) to the rescue

While curly hair needs moisture all year long, spring allows you to go a little easier on product, as the humidity in the environment goes up, and your hair won’t dry out as quickly as it does during winter.

Having said that, higher humidity can lead to frizz and less manageability, as your hair will absorb moisture from the air which increases each strand’s diameter – a major headache for those who just want their curly locks to flourish.

All hope is not lost! Making a few small changes to your daily and weekly hair care regime this spring will ensure your curly hair stays soft, hydrated and frizz-free all season long. Here’s how!

Protect your hair from UV rays

We tend to spend more time outdoors during spring, which means your hair will be exposed to the sun’s harsh UV rays.

Less than fun fact: UV radiation can be harmful to your hair and potentially lead to dryness, breakage or even heat damage. The best way to protect your hair is to cover it when you’re spending time outdoors. Evolve Head Wrap Scarfs (R124.00) are super practical: not only can they be used to secure your hairstyle and protect hair from damage and breakage, but they can also be used to cover up when spending time outdoors. The Tribal Yellow and Tribal Blue designs are perfect for spring.

Opt for lighter, curl-activating products

Now that the weather is warmer, you can use lighter products for nourishment and moisture (your regular winter hair care staples might weigh your hair down and we don’t want that). Use a sulphate-free shampoo to avoid stripping your hair of its natural oils, followed by a hydrating conditioner. Keep your curls looking beautiful by applying a lightweight cream daily.

We recommend Cantu Shea Butter For Natural Hair Coconut Curling Cream (R215.00). Specially formulated for curly hair, it helps to define, moisturise and strengthen every strand.

Enhance your natural curls with a curl activator cream like Cantu Shea Butter For Natural Hair Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream (R76.99). It’s formulated with nourishing shea butter which helps to hydrate your hair and leave extra shiny.

Give dry and damaged hair extra protection

If your hair is very dry or coarse, a leave-in conditioner will provide the extra moisture love needed. Try Curls In Bloom Soothe Me! Leave-In Conditioner Spray(R99.00) which penetrates deep into the hair follicle to protect and moisturise hair for ultimate detangling and hydration.

A weekly deep hydrating treatment will help strengthen your curls and keep them soft and bouncy. Try My Natural Hair Hydrating Mask (R46.99), a deep conditioning treatment mask that intensely conditions, moisturises and softens each strand, or the new Curls In Bloom Strengthen Me! Hair Replenish Masque(R39.99) that uses shea butter and plant-based fatty acids to provide hair with intense moisture and nourishment.

For damaged hair, there is nothing like a hot oil treatment to restore and repair. Try Jamaican Mango & Lime Black Castor Oil Coconut (R99.99). When heated it acts as a wonderful hot oil treatment for hair. Coconut and Jamaican black castor oils prevent breakage and moisturise hair.

Mind the sweat

When it’s warm, sweat can occur everywhere on the body (as those awkward pit stains remind us) including the scalp. Excess sweat can cause deposits of minerals and other lipid (oil) molecules on the surface of the scalp and hair shaft. That’s why it is essential to wash your hair regularly with a cleansing or clarifying shampoo to remove build-up and bacteria.

Try My Natural Hair Premium Cleansing Shampoo (R136.00). It effortlessly hydrates and coats your hair, offering detangling support, removing impurities or pollutants, while repairing and cleansing your hair and scalp for improved hair growth. It is a premium cleansing experience for soft, luxurious and healthy natural hair with dynamic bounce and glow.

Keep frizz under control

A rise in humidity means a higher likelihood of frizz. Products containing emollients like shea butter and natural oils may help minimise frizz and shield your hair from the humidity. Try Curls In Bloom Shine Me! Anti-Frizz Perfume Spray (R69.95). This light and nourishing formula delicately scents the hair while fighting frizz, leaving hair soft and nourished with renewed shine. To seal in moisture while minimising frizz, try Cantu Shea Butter For Natural Hair Coconut Oil Shine & Hold Mist (R215.00). It combines two of nature’s most moisturising ingredients in a rich, nourishing formulation that was specifically designed to seal in moisture and control flyaways and frizz.

You might also want to apply a gel (especially around your edges) to tame flyaways. We recommend Cantu Strengthening Styling Gel (R110.00). It smooths frizz, and locks definition and moisture into natural hair for a perfectly sculpted finish. Its nourishing formula protects hair against humidity and holds it in place without drying hair out or flaking.

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