How to revive dull curly hair?

Curly hair naturally tends to be drier and lose moisture more easily than straight hair. Their spiral structure, in fact, makes it difficult to distribute the natural oils from the scalp to the lengths, thus often leaving the ends dry and brittle. Moreover, other external factors, such as the use of unsuitable products, can further contribute to dulling the hair’s shine and making it appear dull and unhealthy.

Fortunately, reviving dull curly hair is very easy. So today let’s take a look at a few tricks to transform apparently lifeless hair into soft, defined and radiant hair.

Hydration is a key element for healthy hair and you can make it a ubiquitous part of your Curly Routine through small steps:

• Drink plenty of water: as we have seen in the article on dry, irritated skin and dandruff, water is vital for a healthy scalp and, consequently, healthy hair. However, hydration must not only come from external products. Therefore, drinking the right amount of water during the day helps keep your hair hydrated from the inside.
• Choosing the right products: using products specifically for curly hair, which contain ingredients that help retain moisture inside the hair and nourish the hair, can make a huge difference. Among the most important products to pay special attention to is the shampoo (more on this in a moment).
• Moisturising masks: if your hair is excessively dry, treating yourself once or twice a week (as needed) to a moisturising mask will give your hair instant softness and shine.

For curly hair, shampooing is not only a cleansing product, but is the first step to healthy hair, supple ringlets and avoiding a dull effect. Choosing the right shampoo can make the difference between defined, shiny curls and dehydrated, dull hair.

Aggressive shampoos, i.e. those usually containing sulphates, silicones and parabens, excessively remove the natural oils that protect and maintain moisture within the hair, thus causing dehydration of the hair, as well as potentially having undesirable effects on scalp health. This is why it is advisable to opt for gentle, nourishing and moisturising shampoos that contain natural ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil, argan oil and aloe vera. These ingredients help to nourish and moisturise the hair, improving its softness and shine.

Post-wash and refresh are the ideal moments not only to give curls definition, but also to provide additional moisture to keep the hair soft and supple. Here is how to pamper your hair after each shampoo or revitalise it in the days following the wash day:

Customised styling: after shampooing, as well as for the refresh, use specific styling products for curly hair such as gels, leave-in conditioners, mousses, which help both to define curls without weighing them down (so choose them according to your curl type, thickness and porosity) and to protect the lengths which, as we saw in the introduction, tend to be deprived of their natural oils precisely because of the natural spiral shape of curls. For example, try a moisturising and nourishing kit for curly hair, choosing it according to the result you want and the needs of your hair.

Bowl Method: the Bowl Method is an extraordinary technique that not only distributes styling products evenly, but also helps to save product and provide extra moisture to the hair.

Let’s see how it works:

• Preparation: fill a large bowl with lukewarm water.
• Product application: apply your favourite styling product, such as leave-in conditioner, to damp hair.
• Dipping: with your head bent over the bowl, dip your hair into the water. This step allows the water to mix with excess product.
• Squish to Condish: lift your head slightly, keeping it above the bowl to avoid dripping everywhere, and proceed with the squish to condish. This movement, similar to scrunching, involves gently and repeatedly squeezing the gathered lengths in the palms of your hands to push the water and product deep into the hair.
• Repeat: repeat the process of soaking and squish to condish several times. This helps to dilute and redistribute the product evenly, ensuring that each strand receives an optimal dose of moisture.
• Proceed with drying.

Gentle drying: after applying the styling products, blow-dry in the open air or with a hair dryer and diffuser, without ever touching the hair. If you blow-dry your hair, use a medium-low temperature to reduce the risk of damage to the hair shaft and to allow the curls to set evenly.

In addition to the tips seen so far, here are more tips to keep your curls shiny, healthy and strong.

Remove build-up: Some environmental agents, such as smog, can cause a build-up of dirt known as build-up. This layer of residue creates a patina on the hair shaft, making it matt and dull. Using a purifying shampoo when necessary, which is gentle and specifically for curly hair, effectively removes the accumulated residue and also makes it easier for the hair to absorb nutrients and moisture.

Moderate temperatures: as well as preferring a medium-low temperature for blow-drying, it is advisable to avoid washing hair with water that is too hot as this can worsen dehydration of both hair and scalp.

Wash hair when necessary: There is no universal rule for how often curly hair should be washed, but often when it looks less defined there is a tendency to wash it even though it is not necessarily dirty. This leads the scalp and lengths to a situation of washing-drying stress that may worsen the dull and matted effect over time. To understand when it is necessary to wash them, one trick is to pay attention to the signals of the scalp: if it becomes oily or starts to itch, it may be time for a shampoo. Otherwise, a simple refresh with water and light styling products may be sufficient.

Protection from sun, chlorine and saltiness: UV rays, chlorine from swimming pools and saltiness from the sea can cause significant damage to curly hair, making it dry and brittle. Protecting curly hair from chlorine, as well as UV rays and saltiness, allows you to keep your hair shiny and soft all year round.

Protecting curly hair overnight: protecting curly hair overnight is another small habit that can reduce friction between hair and pillowcase and thus prevent breakage, knots and dull, frizzy hair.

Curly hair requires specific care and attention, but the tips and tricks we have shared with you so far will make your hair care routine simple and a real personal pampering. Always remember to experiment to find the perfect routine for your personal needs. With constant and loving attention your curls will show you the best of them!