Curls are truly beautiful and need their own special care. Curls require more attention than any other hair type. Once you discover what suits your curls, you'll be the happiest lady or gentleman around! If not, your curls can be a big source of frustration. To find out what works...
Curls are truly beautiful and need their own special care....
To curl
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TIGICurls Rock Amplifier
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TIGICurls Rock Amplifier
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GoldwellDefining Cream
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TIGIFoxy Curls Mousse
21,95
11,95 -
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Curls are truly beautiful and need their own special care. Curls require more attention than any other hair type. Once you discover what suits your curls, you'll be the happiest lady or gentleman around! If not, your curls can be a big source of frustration.
To find out what works best for your curls, follow the steps below to learn what to focus on. Take in the information, don't rush it, and you'll truly learn to love your curls again :)
What is my curl type?
A good start for creating a curl care routine is understanding and knowing your curl type. Then you can see what’s important for your curls and how to manage them — and especially what to avoid. To find this out, we use the most well-known method, André Walker’s system. André’s system ranges from type one to type four. Keep in mind you might have a combination of curl types. Porosity and density also play key roles in choosing the best products for your curls.
If you fall into curl type two or three, lighter products usually suffice. For stronger curls, type four, you’ll need heavier products and oils to care well for your curls.
How can I get started right away with a curl kit for my curls?
Are you completely fed up with your curls and just want to start right away without reading further? Do you want to dive into your curls and then explore more deeply while your curls begin their journey back to their natural roots? We’ve created curl care kits based on curl types. These kits have made many curl types happy and revived their bounce! Want to start now? See below which kit suits your curls:
- Schwarzkopf Curls Starter Kit
- Schwarzkopf Starter Kit for Curly Blonde Hair
- Schwarzkopf BlondMe Curl Set
- CG-proof Blond Curl Set
Does the porosity and elasticity of my curls affect which care products I should buy?
A common question — and yes, it definitely affects your curl care! You may have received tips that worked wonders for someone else but didn’t do anything for your curls. Or worse, your curls got even worse. Not only is your curl type somewhat important, but porosity and elasticity are actually even more crucial. They show whether your curls are very thirsty or just a bit.
With elasticity, you'll find out if your curls need protein, don’t need it, or just a little. We explain how to discover this in an article. This way you can calmly start working on your curls step by step to make the right care choices. Check out 'The tip so you know what to watch for in curl care' to find out your curls’ porosity and elasticity.
Are sulfates bad for my curls?
First, let's briefly explain what sulfates and parabens are. Sulfates are cleansers that remove dirt and oil from your hair and scalp. The most common sulfates are aggressive cleansers because they are the cheapest to produce. There are also mild sulfates which are less damaging to your curls. Nowadays, you can easily find sulfate-free shampoos.
Sulfates dry out your curls and can irritate your scalp. Avoiding sulfates is a good step to prevent dryness. Hydration is ultimately what your beautiful curls need! However, it’s recommended to use a shampoo with sulfates every once in a while — why? To thoroughly cleanse your curls and scalp from product build-up. Even if just every two months, so there’s no need to throw away your current shampoo.
Want to know more about sulfates? Of course you do. We have a dedicated article. We’re happy to send you to Everything you need to know about sulfates!
Are parabens bad for my curls?
Parabens aren’t necessarily bad for your curls. They are used in curl care as preservatives to prevent your curl products from spoiling. However, natural preservatives are increasingly used. These also keep products fresh but often require refrigeration since they come from natural ingredients. Not always the case, so check the label to see if refrigeration is needed. Want to know more? We recommend the article 'Everything you need to know about parabens'.
What effect does alcohol have on my curls?
Thinking of alcohol and curls, you probably think dry hair. And usually that's right. But there are exceptions! If a product contains alcohol derived from coconut or palm oil — that is, fatty alcohol — it doesn’t dry out your curls. Fatty alcohol acts as an emulsifier, blending water and oil instead of separating.
This 'good' alcohol keeps your curls hydrated and helps conditioners leave your curls soft and easy to comb. Not bad! Some types of alcohol are used as thickeners. So if one of the following types of alcohol is listed in your product, no worries!
- Behenyl alcohol
- CeTearyl alcohol
- STearyl alcohol
- Cetyl alcohol
- Myristyl alcohol
- Lauryl alcohol
- Benzyl alcohol
- Propylene glycol
Benzyl alcohol acts as a preservative but isn’t harmful to your beautiful curls. Propylene glycol attracts water and helps keep it in your strands.
What effect do Silicones have on my curls?
Many immediately think silicones are bad for curls! They seal your hair cuticles so moisture can’t get in. This is often true, but there are differences in silicones. There are water-based and oil-based silicones. Water-based silicones rinse out easily and don’t cause build-up — exactly what you want. Oil-based silicones are a different story; they require a strong sulfate shampoo to remove, which dries out your curls!
Silicones form a layer around your strands and that can be really useful — for example, when heat styling. You protect your curls and can straighten them occasionally.
Which silicones are safe to use on curls? All with PEG and PPG in their names. Also, these silicones are water-soluble:
- Dimethicone Copolyol
- Lauryl Methicol Copolyol
- Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein or Hydroxypropyl PolySiloxane
Anything ending in cone, conol, col, or xane is oil-based silicone and can only be removed with aggressive sulfates.
I have dry curls, what can I do?
Dry curls need intense care. Stop using oil-based silicones, aggressive sulfates, and parabens. Also, use care products that suit your curls best. Some favourites to give your hair a moisture boost are:
- Boucleme Curls IntenSive Moisture Mask
- Imbue Curl Restoring IntenSive Mask
- Lee Stafford For The Love Of Curls Mask
- Umberto Giannini Banana Butter Conditioner
What basic tips, tricks, and facts about curls are must-knows?
Sometimes basic tips are useful for everyone. This applies especially to men and women with curls that need extra attention. Naturally, curls are dry, but once you find your curl routine, it improves every aspect of your life. Your curls shine daily, especially when you know what they need:
- Wash your curls with mild, sulfate-free shampoos
- Occasionally wash with a sulfate shampoo to keep curls clean (prevent build-up)
- Avoid oil-based silicones
- Pay attention to the type of alcohol in products (see above)
- Curls are drier than straight hair—hydrate to the max!
- Discover your curl type
- Find a good curly hairdresser
- Use hair products made especially for curls; they always provide more care
- Comb hair only when wet, not dry
- Use a wide-tooth comb instead of a brush; fewer teeth reduce breakage
- Sleep on a satin pillowcase
- Always apply a care product after showering. Always!
- Dry hair with a diffuser if you use a hairdryer
- Always use heat protection when blow-drying
- Always use a leave-in conditioner alongside your conditioner
What’s a good basic routine to start with for my curls?
A good curl routine differs for everyone. We always recommend starting with the basics, which are:
- Curl Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Curl Cream
Why start with the basics? Because with this Manier, you can clearly see how your curls respond. After about two weeks, revisit your curls and decide if you need a leave-in conditioner or another curl product. Starting with too many products is a waste and makes it unclear what each product does. Hair always needs time to adjust to new care.
What exactly does a curl cream do for my curls?
Curl creams are essential if you have curls. A good curl cream can make a real difference by taming unruly, frizzy curls and waves back into shape. There are many variants, just as there are many curl types. We dedicated an article to this. On this Manier, you can discover which curl creams best meet your curl’s needs and your preferences:
Which curl cream suits your curl type best?
What does deep conditioning do for my curls?
You might have used a hair mask, maybe even regularly. Deep conditioning is similar. It’s a conditioner that fully penetrates the hair and adds extra care. If you have dry and/or damaged curls, your hair can benefit greatly from it. The benefit? It makes extremely dry or damaged curls healthier, shinier, more defined, and softer. Deep conditioning hydrates, nourishes, and strengthens your curls. Your extremely dry curls become manageable and easy to comb.
A deep conditioner is a very rich and thick Cream. It’s all about the ingredients inside, not just what the packaging says. Knowing whether your hair needs protein or hydration helps you choose. Protein strengthens and restores curls, while hydration simply moisturises your curl.
How do oils work with curls?
Oils nourish your curls and can make a huge difference. But there are differences in oils and what they do to your curls. You may have used oils that yielded no results. That doesn’t mean oil is bad, just that you used the wrong one for your curl. There are heavy and light oils. One seals your hair, the other nourishes it. This often points to misuse of oils for curls and hair in general.
Research shows oils rich in linoleic, oleic, and palmitic acids form a protective layer around hair. This layer guards curls against breakage — like from combing or friction with clothing. It also helps keep curls less dry. Regular oil treatments reduce split ends, so oil is full of benefits. But which oil suits your curls?
It’s key to know there are two types of oils: sealer oils and moisturising oils.
- Moisturising oils, called moisturisers
- Oils that seal hair, called sealers
Which oil is best for my curls?
Now that you understand oils and curls, let’s see what each oil does so you can choose the right ones for your curl routine!
Jojoba Oil (sealer oil) is a light oil similar to the natural oils your scalp and body produce — also known as sebum. Jojoba oil has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It’s a strong restorative for curls, slowing down excess sebum (greasy hair) and soothing dry scalp while hydrating curls. It’s perfect if you colour your curls — it helps maintain colour longer.
Argan Oil (sealer oil) is a very popular oil ideal for taming frizzy curls. The fatty acids in argan oil protect hair, reducing damage from washing and styling. Weakened hair benefits from argan oil, improving hair’s elasticity and shine while strengthening ends.
Coconut Oil (moisturiser) is extremely popular for good reason. Only a few oils penetrate the hair shaft; coconut oil protects from within. It can be very beneficial, but some find it makes hair stiff or flaky. In that case, try mixing coconut with sunflower oil.
Sunflower Oil (moisturiser) is common in most households. It penetrates the hair shaft but doesn’t protect hair from within like coconut oil. Sunflower oil is great for frizzy curls.
Monoi Oil (moisturiser) is ideal for frizzy curls, fragile hair, and preventing split ends. It’s a restorative, hydrating oil great for very dry and damaged curls, sharing similar properties with coconut oil.
Avocado Oil (sealer oil) nourishes and restores curls. Perfect for medium to high porosity curls. Dry or coloured curls benefit greatly from avocado oil, as it delivers vitamins and fatty acids while caring for the scalp and reducing hair loss. It strengthens hair, boosts vitality, restores shine, and protects ends.
Castor Oil (sealer oil), also known as wonder oil or ricinus oil, is thick and sticky. It seals hair but is not recommended for low porosity hair. It’s often used to stimulate hair growth on the scalp and as a natural serum for lashes and brows.
Sweet Almond Oil (sealer oil) is ideal for medium and very porous hair. It soothes itchy, dry scalps and stimulates blood flow, containing magnesium — which is important in hair loss. Sweet almond oil restores and protects ends, preventing moisture loss while leaving hair soft, shiny, and elastic.
Olive Oil (sealer oil) is common in many homes and perfect for curls. Olive oil contains vitamin E and squalene. It naturally protects your scalp, containing more squalene than argan oil, making it great for scalp care. Olive oil leaves curls supple without greasiness. It’s perfect for dry or porous hair, reducing frizz and static while nourishing coarse, damaged curls and making strands soft, shiny, and flexible.
How do I easily and practically add oil to my curl routine?
The simplest way is to add a few drops to your shampoo. This gives extra care and leaves hair feeling less dry after washing.
You can also add drops to a deep conditioning treatment as mentioned above.
Some do hot oil treatments — mixing different oils, warming them, and applying for a boost. Though effective, it’s less practical in daily life.
Is the Curly Girl Method right for my curls?
The Curly Hair Method is made for natural curls. Lorraine Massey created this approach. Of course, there are many curl types, but the method’s basics apply to all. You use a sulfate-free or no shampoo mainly on your scalp. Use a conditioner free of Silicones and mineral oils. Dry curls by scrunching with a cotton T-shirt, microfiber cloth, or pillowcase. This method uses normal gel because it’s light and keeps curls from falling flat. The gel is free of sulfates, Silicones, parabens, and alcohol.
Want to know everything about the Curly Girl Method? Our Team will gladly direct you to the thorough article The Curly Girl Method: A to Z.
Does haarspullen.nl carry Curly Girl Method-approved products?
Absolutely, and we update our selection regularly. On the page The Curly Girl Method: A to Z, you’ll find all current curl products in our range that are Curly Girl approved. We keep this article updated so you’re always up to date.
Where can I ask questions about curls?
If you’re still unsure about what your curls need or torn between two curl creams, ask our Team for help! Send your questions to info@haarspullen.nl or call us during office hours. We know how frustrating it is not to have the right care for your curls, and it’s better to be well informed than to rush into a disappointing purchase!