Curly and Coily Hair

What can you find for curly and coily hair?

Our curly and coily hair range brings together the products for a complete routine, from washing to curl definition. You will find gentle shampoos, rich conditioners and masks that help with detangling. The rest of our hair care range complements these specialist ranges.

For styling, we offer leave-in creams that moisturise, curl activators that define the spirals and gels that hold them. These products can be layered to last for several days. A basic routine comes down to three products: a gentle shampoo, a rich conditioner and a cream or a gel.

The brands chosen are specialists in these textures: Les Secrets de Loly, Cantu, Shea Moisture, Curlsmith, Mielle and Activilong. You will also find more mainstream ranges from Garnier, or salon products with L’Oréal Professionnel’s Curl Expression. Several brands offer products for children, with a gentle feel and easy to detangle.

Each brand has its own speciality. Mielle is known for its rosemary oil and mint, and Cantu for its shea butter products. Les Secrets de Loly, a French brand, offers complete step-by-step routines.

How do you choose products for curly and coily hair?

First identify your curl type. Hair is often classified from type 2, wavy, to type 4, coily, with type 3, curly, in between. The tighter the curl, the drier the hair, because sebum struggles to travel down the spiral.

Wavy hair prefers light textures, such as a mousse or a fluid gel, to keep its volume. Coily hair needs rich products, with shea butter as in Cantu’s range, or with plant oils. Type 3 curls sit between the two and often like the cream and gel duo.

Your hair also has a porosity, which means the way it takes in water. Highly porous hair absorbs quickly and dries quickly: it likes thick butters and oils. Low-porosity hair leaves products on the surface: it prefers light textures, applied to well-wetted hair.

Also read the label: sulphate-free shampoos are kinder to the moisture feel of curls. The curly method also avoids heavy silicones, which build up without a strong wash. If you would like to change colour, our hair colour range offers shades for every texture.

What routine should you follow for curly and coily hair?

On wash day, always detangle on wet hair coated in conditioner, with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb. Start at the ends and work up towards the roots, section by section. Detangling dry hair breaks curls and creates frizz.

On hair that is still damp, apply your products following the LOC method: a liquid such as water or a milk, then an oil, then a cream. Finish with a gel for well-defined curls, then air-dry or use a diffuser. Once your hair is dry, scrunch the curls in your hands to break the stiff feel of the gel.

At night, sleep on a satin pillowcase or cover your hair with a satin bonnet, as cotton rubs and dries out curls. Between two washes, a little water from a spray and a nut-sized amount of cream give curls their shape back. A “pineapple”, a loose bun on top of the head, also protects the curl pattern overnight.

Braids that are too tight pull on the roots, and tension at the temples is best avoided. In that case, loosen your styles and take a look at our products in the hair loss and hair growth range.