What Are Common Curly Hair Problems, And What Are The Best Curly Hair Products To Fix Them?
If you don’t have, or work with, curly hair, you probably don’t understand how much effort goes into managing it. It takes knowing about your curl type, how it responds to getting wet, and what products work for your hair. All of this adds up to a lot of trial and error.
At Hair Enhancements of Pittsburgh, we understand curly hair. In this blog, we will be looking at types of curly hair, the challenges it brings, and products that can help you manage it. So whether you have your natural hair, a wig, or a hairpiece, you’ll be in the know about your curls.
What Is Your Curl Type, And How Does It Affect The Curly Hair Products You Buy?
First, we’ll discuss various curly hair characteristics, including texture, curl type, and hair strand type. Curly hair has the same textures as straight hair: fine, medium, and coarse.
Then, there are three main types of curly hair: wavy (2), curly (3), and coily or kinky (4). Based on curl tightness and texture, these are also broken down into subcategories (a, b, and c). (As an aside, straight hair (1) also follows the a, b, and c subcategories.)
Finally, shape, size, and texture define your curly hair strand type. Shape is determined by the L.O.I.S. system, as follows:
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L - hair strand bends at a right angle, “L” shape,
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O - hair strand rolls into an “O” shape,
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I - hair strand is straight like a “9”, and
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S - hair strand is wavy like an “S”.
Size is pretty simple and based on the diameter of a strand of sewing thread.
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Thin - smaller than sewing thread
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Medium - same as sewing thread
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Thick - wider than sewing thread
Texture includes 1) hair sheen, 2) hair shine, 3) how saturated your curls get, and 4) how prone they are to frizz. Sheen refers to how light is reflected or scattered off of bends, twists, and turns in curly hair, while shine refers to how light reflects off of a smooth, flat surface.
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“Thready” - It has low sheen, but increased shine when the curl is stretched, wets easily, dries quickly, and is not likely to frizz.
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“Wiry” - It has a sparkly sheen, low shine, resists water, and is somewhat likely to frizz.
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“Silky” - It has a low sheen, but is very shiny, easy to wet, and not likely to frizz.
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“Spongy” - It has a high sheen, low shine. It absorbs water, but takes time to fully saturate, and is prone to frizzing.
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“Cottonly” - It has a high sheen if stretched, low shine, does not wet easily, and is very likely to frizz.
As you can tell, curly hair comes with lots of detail! It is easy to see how important it is to know your hair well, so that you can make sure to get the best curly hair products for your unique needs.
How To Use Curly Hair Products To Defeat 4 Key Challenges
There are four everyday struggles with curly hair.
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Dryness - To combat dryness, focus on using gentle, sulfate-free shampoo that promotes and preserves moisture, and hold off on the heat styling your hair.
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Frizz - To reduce frizz, follow the guidelines above for dryness, while also washing your hair gently and then blotting it with an old T-shirt to reduce friction on your hair.
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Lack of definition - To contend with a lack of definition, use a moisturizing shampoo, conditioner, and a curl definer. Apply the curl definer to your damp, sectioned hair.
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Tangles - To smooth out tangles, apply your conditioner and use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to release the knots. Then let the conditioner sit for at least 5 minutes before rinsing.
Our Recommendations For The Best Curly Hair Products
We want you to feel confident in your curls! There are many curly hair products out there, but these are some of the best curly hair products we suggest for showing off your style. Most of them can be found in our online store.
Our absolute favorite curly hair product is the Sebastian Twisted Curl Magnifier Cream. This lightweight cream gives you soft curls rather than the crunchy curls of the ‘90s. It holds the curl tight, but still allows you to brush it or run your fingers through it. Additionally, it won’t crack or get a dusty feeling to it.
We highly recommend you follow up with the Mizani 25 Miracle Nourishing Hair Oil. It is made for mixed hair and is excellent for wigs and hair pieces. However, it is unsuitable for fine hair, as the product can weigh that kind of hair down and make it look greasy.
If you are looking for a moisturizing shampoo or conditioner, we also have a solution for that. The Sebastian Drench line includes a shampoo and conditioner combo that is very nourishing, promotes silky body and shine, and helps to hydrate dry frizzy hair.
Another shampoo option is the Sebastian Dark Oil Lightweight Shampoo. This Sebastian product has a special blend of oils that gently cleanse and add natural body and shine, leaving your hair 3x smoother.
How We Can Help You With Your Curls
No matter whether your hair is Medium, Wiry, or Frizzy, we will work to find you the best curly hair products for your hair. When you partner with us, you can expect to experience a safe, gentle space where your voice is heard and your needs can be met — whether hair-related or otherwise.
We take real time to listen to your story and to get to know your unique personality and curly hair needs. We will always meet you where you are at, so we can share our knowledge in a way that makes sense for you, and that helps you on your journey to finding the perfect curly hair products for you.
Finally, we are committed to quality customization. In any virtual or in-person consultation, we make sure to map out your lifestyle, dreams, and financial situation to design a one-of-a-kind, real hair wig or hairpiece with just the right size, texture, hair density, curl, length, and color for the life you want to lead.