The 10 commandments every curly-haired girl should follow

Do you have gorgeously curly tresses? Good. Because you are going to looove this. After years of experimenting, talking to the hair gods and trialling products (tough gig!), we’ve put together the 10 commandments you should be swearing by to get the most out of your mane.

THOU SHALT LIMIT THY WASHES

Washing your hair on a daily basis? It’s time to change that. Shampooing too frequently can actually have adverse effects, resulting in dry, ratty and brittle hair. Not pretty. Resist the urge to wash your hair every time you wash your bod, and just do it every two or three days instead. If you’re worried about excess oil, invest in a good dry shampoo to spritz on between washes.

Try:Schwarzkopf Professional Essensity Colour and Moisture Sulfate-Free Shampoo, Batiste Wild Dry Shampoo, De Lorenzo Essential Treatments Absorb Dry Shampoo

THOU SHALT ALWAYS CONDITION THY LOCKS

Yes, always – no if’s, but’s or maybe’s about it! The curlier the locks, the longer it takes for sebum (the natural oil hair produces) to reach the ends, often leading to dry, frizzy, split ends. To give your strands a good hit of hydration, look for deep conditioners with a working pH level to penetrate deep into your curly layers.

Try: John Frieda Full Repair Hydrate Rescue Deep Conditioner, Pantene Pro-V Deep Fortifying Conditioner

THOU SHALT REGULARLY VISIT THY DOCTOR

The hair doctor, that is. Regular check-ups will keep your curls shiny, healthy and oh-so-happy. Book an appointment with your hairdresser every six to eight weeks and treat yourself to a quick trim and deep conditioning treatment. The head massage alone should be enough of a reason to go.

THOU SHALT REFRAIN FROM TOUCHING

When your hair is dry, try to keep your mitts of it. The more you manhandle your hair, the more likely you are to end up looking like a giant frizz-ball. To stop yourself from touching and twisting your strands all day, simply apply a curl enhancing product to damp hair. The product will do the work for you, meaning you won’t have to keep fidgeting with it all day long just to get it to stay put.

Try: Kinky-Curly Curling Custard, TIGI Catwalk Curlesque Curls Rock Amplifier, Aveda Be Curly Curl Enhancer

THOU SHALT DRY THY STRANDS WITH A T-SHIRT (Yes, really)

Ditch that bath towel and opt to use a softer fabric (like a cotton tee or microfibre towel) to dry your hair. It will make a huge difference to the shape of your curls, and won’t cause knots either. #winning

Try:QVS Microfibre Hair Turban

THOU SHALT GET THY BEAUTY SLEEP

If you don’t have satin pillows yet, run – don’t walk – to the shops. Average cotton pillowcases absorb the oil that healthy curls so desperately crave, plus the roughness of cotton creates friction, rubbing as you sleep and creating the super frizzy fro you wake up to every morning.

THOU SHALT STAY AWAY FROM THE BOOZE

Stay far, far away from any hair product that lists sulfates or alcohol on the label. These agents will dry the hair out, and leave you with crunchy, straw-like strands. Hair spray tends to include alcohol, so look at gels and mousses instead. If you tend to favour mousse, we recommend those more aerated to give optimum fullness, control and boost.

Try:Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Hydrocream Whip, VO5 Extra Body Mousse

THOU SHALT PROTECT THY PRECIOUS LOCKS

Hot air is a curly-haired girl’s worst enemy. Blow-frying those gorgeous ringlets will have a similar effect as bleach and chemical relaxers, and can cause permanent damage. Always, always, always apply a heat-protecting product and use a diffuser to dry the curls evenly and safely.

Try: Tresemme Keratin Smooth Heat Protection Shine Spray, TONI & GUY Prep Heat Protection Mist, ghd air, Remington Studio Power Pro Pack, VS Sassoon Salon Professional AC Dryer

THOU SHALT BANISH THY BRUSH

Unless you want a cloud of frizz, banish the brush. Bristles tug at hair and disturb the curl formation – a big no-no for anyone interested in actually leaving the house! Reach for a wide-toothed comb instead, or rake your fingers through to get rid of tangles.

Try: Lady Jayne Afro Comb

THOU SHALT EMBRACE LAYERS

Don’t be afraid to use multiple products to get the best possible result. Start with a leave-in conditioner to balance your hair’s moisture levels, then apply a volumising product to the roots or set your strands with a working hairspray.

Try:KMS California Silksheen Leave-in Conditioner, Bumble and Bumble Spray de Mode, bhave Magnifying Volumising Conditioner

Do you have any other tips for managing curly hair?