I grew up wishing my hair would magically straighten itself out for as long as I can remember. Amusingly enough, till I hit puberty my hair was dead straight, silky with natural baby lights. With the onslaught of the awkward teen years my hair transformed overnight from its long, flowing glory into a tangled hive of curls. It’s taken me over a decade to understand my hair and treat it well; I am finally reaping the benefits of giving curly hair its due care. Whether your hair falls into the category of frizzy waves or you’re blessed with telephone cord curls, read on to discover a few sneaky tips and tricks that might just make you think twice before you head over to the salon for a blow-dry.

Put the Comb Down

I spent most of my teenage years looking like a shorter, petite version of the Hogwarts grounds keeper Hagrid. Every morning before school my hair and I would endure a torturous tussle where I would attempt to brush out the kinks without losing all the strands on my head, while my curls fought back with each inch. To put it quite simply, by the time I was done my hair looked like it’s been through hell and back and the only styling option available would be a tight top knot. Over time I realized that my hair looked better when I brushed it before my shower rather than after or after my hair had dried. Curly, wavy or frizzy hair is best left alone. Comb your hair before you wash it for detangling purposes but once you’re out of the shower, the less you meddle the better it’ll look.

Washing Guide

Hair stylists and technicians world over are split between how often you should wash your hair (Angelina Jolie’s stylist says daily while Kim Kardashian’s swears by a bi-weekly routine) but I’ve discovered that my hair fares better the longer I wait between washes (this doesn’t mean months, it means I wash my hair twice or maximum thrice a week). I was a strong proponent of washing my tresses every alternate day but noticed that they tended to get dry, greasy and out of shape quickly with my regular washing routine. Not only did I switch from supermarket shampoos to slightly more high-end, sulphate free formulas (my favourite is Mill and Creek’s Biotin Shampoo and Conditioner range, available at GNC stores) I also reduced the number of times I washed my hair. Not to brag but I have a decent set of curls sitting pretty on my head, testament to the success of my washing ways.

Flip and Scrunch

Another helpful trick I recently picked up, and have been in love with since, is my hair drying method. First, never ever use a towel, especially if you have wavy, curly or frizzy hair. Keep a muslin or cotton cloth handy when stepping into the shower. Use the muslin cloth to dry your hair; flip your head over, wrap the cloth around your head like a towel turban and let it stay for at least 10-15 minutes. This ensures your hair follicle isn’t damaged by the rough towel threads and you’ll notice a recognizable difference in frizz. After taking the cotton wrap off, flip your head over again, cup the lengths of your hair in the palm of your hand and scrunch them up to your scalp. It might seem ineffective but this little trick gives me the tightest, bounciest curls ever. In fact, it’s great even the days after you’ve washed your hair; spritz a little water or styling spray along the lengths if they’ve become disheveled after a night’s sleep and use the flip and scrunch technique to revive them. It truly is a game changer.

Products

I am often quizzed on the products I use to maintain my curls. There is a general misconception that curls require a lot of product and grooming to look good. Nope. Let’s bust that myth. Your hair only requires you to understand its texture and treat it accordingly. Curly hair tends to be dry, which is why I recommend conditioning every time you wash your hair but don’t let any product remain behind. Wash your hair thoroughly and apply whatever styling product you want when your hair is damp. I have only two in my arsenal and I’m thrilled with the result they give. The first is a yellow spray bottle called the Blonde Miracle by the company ‘Its A 10’. A leave-in conditioner for hair that’s been colour treated, the spray enhances not only your colour but also the shine and texture of your hair. It’s hydrating and keeps your curls conditioned post shower. The second, a product I use on day three when my hair begins to limp is the Redken Curvaceous Wind Up curl spray. A few sprays all over, flip, scrunch and I’m ready to walk out.

While these little hacks will definitely make your life easier and allow you to really embrace your curls, the one thing that has truly transformed my hair is the lack of heat styling. Once in a couple of months is acceptable but regular straightening and blow drying will not only damage your hair but also alter its texture over time. Give away your hair iron and dryer for a couple of months and let your hair recuperate from years of heat styling. You won’t be disappointed with the results.