The tip so you know what to watch out for when caring for your curls!
- 7 min reading time
The endless world of curls. High porosity, elasticity, curl types – and so much more. Every curl is different, and each requires different hair care. In this blog, you will discover your curl type and what your hair needs!
What should I pay attention to when caring for my curls?
One of the most frequently asked questions: what should you watch out for when caring for your curls? Curls need extra care, that is very clear. Curls are naturally drier than hair that does not curl. Today we share some tips so you can be well prepared to look for hair care specially made for your curls. To determine your curl type, you can use this checklist:
- Curl type 2A, 2B, 2C, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B or 4C?
- Fine, normal or coarse curls?
- High porosity hair or low porosity hair?
- High elasticity or low elasticity?
Does my curl type affect the care of my curls?
Yes! 100%. There are different curl types: curl type 2, curl type 3 and curl type 4. Each curl type has different points of attention. Don’t know which curl type your locks are? Then take a look at this category page: Curls. Of course, this is not everything, but it does give an important indication of the care your curls need.
Do you have fine curls, normal curls or thick curls? In other words, how thick is your hair?
If you have fine curls, your curls get greasy quickly and break easily. Fine curls do not tolerate heavy products well. In other words, fine curls prefer light hair care that does not weigh your curls down.
If you have normal curls, your curls are between fine and really coarse. Depending on the porosity of your curls, you can use both heavy and light hair care for curls. Do you have porous curls? Look for light hair care.
If you have coarse curls, then you have thick and strong curls. You can use both light and heavy curl care. This, of course, depends again on the porosity of your curls.
The basic rule is very simple. The more porous your curls are, the more suitable light hair care for curls is.
Is it important to consider the porosity of your curls when buying your hair care?
You already read something about the basic rule of the porosity of your curls above. How porous are your curls actually? And why do you need to know this? Very simple, if you know how porous your curls are, you automatically know whether your curls stay hydrated easily or not. From there, you can see which methods suit the care of your curls best.
That is why it is so important to take the porosity of your curls into account. How do you test the porosity of your beautiful curls? With the following simple steps, you will find out quickly.
Needed for testing the porosity of your curls:
- Glass of water
- Clean hair washed with shampoo
Place the clean hair strand in the glass of water and see the magic happening. Do you have high porosity hair? Then your hair strand sinks to the bottom within 5 minutes. Your hair sinks because it absorbs all the moisture and becomes heavier. If this does not happen, you have low porosity hair.
- Do you have highly porous curls? Then your curls are very thirsty.
- Do you have moderately thirsty curls? Then your curls are moderately porous.
- Do you have low porous curls? Then your curls are hardly thirsty.
With high porosity hair, moisture from hair products is quickly absorbed by your hair, which seems very pleasant but is not. Your hair is damaged and your hair cuticles remain open. You can hydrate your hair, but it does not stay hydrated. The result is that your hair dries out quickly again. If you want to read more, go to "How to deal with highly porous curls ♡ eyeopener!".
If you have low porous curls, go to "How to deal with low porous curls ♡ eyeopener!".
If you want to test further whether you have high or low porosity hair, you can do this test:
Take a hair strand between your thumb and forefinger and pull the strand through your fingers. What do you feel when you do this:
- a rough surface? Yes, then you probably have porous hair. You feel your hair cuticles that are not fully closed.
- a smooth surface? Then you probably have low porous hair.
Does the elasticity of my curls affect the choice of care for my curls?
Yes, definitely. Now that you know whether your curls are thirsty or not, you will look at whether your curl care needs to be based on protein or moisture. Healthy hair stretches about 25%. With a stretch test, you can calculate the elasticity of your curls.
How do you test the elasticity of your curls? Like this!
- If your curls do not stretch at all and break immediately, your curls contain too much protein, making them feel rough and straw-like and they break almost immediately. Then your curls need more moisture. In other words, hydrate! Avoid protein in all products until your curls are back in balance. Leave-in conditioners and deep conditioners are absolutely the way to go! Moisture, moisture, moisture ♡
- If you stretch your curls a little and they bounce back to their original length when released, your curls have a good moisture/protein balance. Keep an eye on your curls, see how your hair reacts and choose products with a balance of protein and hydration.
- If your curls stretch more than normal and break unfortunately, then your curls need more protein.
- If your curls keep stretching but do not break, your curls have an excess of moisture and are therefore too well hydrated. Your curls feel dry, lifeless and limp. Your curls do not hold well and are frizzy. So look for curl products that contain protein. However, always keep a close eye on your curls; you ultimately want a good balance.
If your curls have average elasticity, a hair strand stretches up to 5 cm. If you have a moisture shortage, you have low elasticity and can hardly stretch your hair; a protein shortage causes high elasticity and stretches easily. This means your hair is just right at the moment. Caring for your curls and using products can change, so it is advisable to do the stretch test every two months, as the balance can change due to the products you put in your hair.
If your elasticity is balanced, it is best to use products with protein and without protein. For example, you can alternate a hydrating mask with a mask containing protein. Using only protein, for example, does not work for your hair because that is an excess. Combining is just right!
If you dye your beautiful curls, then use a protein mask or co-wash with protein. So do not avoid protein if you dye your hair and have low elasticity!
I know the elasticity and porosity of my curls, what can I do now?
Now that you know your curl type(s), and you know the elasticity and porosity of your curls, you can finally start looking for good care for your curls! Yes, baby! If you want to start with the Curly Girl method, or just want to use products that are not harmful to your curls, go to the article The Curly Girl Method - From A to Z here you will find lots of information and all curl products that are CG proof and CG friendly! ♡
