It’s the New Year and after the challenge that was 2020, it’s time for a much-needed reset.
We all want to make meaningful, yet easy-to-stick-to New Year’s resolutions that improve our body and/or mind, and it doesn’t get any more self-beneficial than resolving to learn how to properly care for your crown of curls. The key to setting out a new haircare regime is to start small; no one expects you to know your hair structure and individual coil patterns when you start so just keep it simple!
Begin by breaking it down to the basics. A simple wash day routine breaks down into three categories – cleanse, condition, style – and we’ve shared a few easy steps to get you started on your road to hair excellence.
CLEANSE
Detangle then shampoo.
Using a detangler before you shampoo is a great way to avoid breakage caused by knots and tangles. It’s usually best to finger detangle instead of using a brush but a wide-toothed comb works as well.
As a general rule, you should really only use shampoo once a week. Stay away from shampoos with harsh ingredients that could damage your coils so doing a little bit of research beforehand on your hair texture is always a plus. Cantu’s Avocado Hydrating Shampoo is made with shea butter and formulated to gently cleanse, so is great at moisturizing your hair while removing product build-up. Use cool water when cleansing, and don’t do a second lather if you don’t need to.
CONDITION
Condition, hydrate.
Conditioning is the heart of wash day. A good conditioner reduces frizz, adds and locks in much-needed moisture, reduces breakage, and makes dry, lifeless locs a thing of the past. You don’t have to wait till wash day to condition your hair, in fact using conditioner consistently a few times a week will have your ‘fro feeling softer and look healthier. Cantu’s Avocado Hydrating Conditioner does all the above as well as helping your hair retain natural oils for fewer split ends.
Shampoo? Done. Condition? Done. Next up is replacing lost moisture. Afro hair is prone to dryness and frizz, so adding in moisture is essential to keep your coils poppin’. If this is your first shot at properly caring for your ‘fro your hair might have damage that needs fixing before you can really concentrate on healthy growth. Cantu’s Avocado Hydrating Repair Leave-In works wonders on fragile, damaged hair, helping stop breakage and encourage strong growth. It’s made with pure shea butter and infused with avocado oil for an intense moisture boost, revealing stronger, healthier hair with a natural shine. And even better it works with all hair textures too!
STYLE
Easy, everyday styling.
One of the magical things about afro hair is the mind-blowing number of styles you can experiment with! You may not be able to create Boss Lady Bantu Knots on your first go but using a couple of styling essentials on the regular will help build up your confidence to step out slaying your chosen look.
Your wash day hairstyle will depend on how much time you have to spend crafting your look. Cantu’s Avocado Hydrating Curl Activator Cream is great for a quick wash’n’go moment, for those occasions when you’re out of time but your look shouldn’t have to suffer the consequences. It smooths and enhances your curls for frizz-free volume and lustrous shine. For longer-lasting hold on styles like twist-outs and braid-outs, cocktail with Cantu’s Avocado Hydrating Styling Gel. It’s soft hold, crunch-free and flake-free, leaving you with ultra-defined, shiny coils.
A few handy tips to remember –
• Deep condition your hair once a week to repair and replenish your coils.
• Sulfates in your hair products are a big no-no.
• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
And there you have it, a quick and easy wash day routine to get your new year’s hair resolution started! Start off with these simple steps and the end of 2021 will you see rocking a crown of curls fit for the Queen you are.
