Learning to manage your natural hair
Are we happy with our natural hair? the majority will say No! The grass is always greener on the other side. Well, not necessarily, if one know how to manage what there naturally born with. Learning to accept your hair, getting comfortable with it and working with what is already there is far easier than trying to go against the natural flow.
With wavy to soft curls, you have plenty of versatility — you can have it curly or done straight. With
tighter curls, a few simple tricks can help manage them with less effort. With straight hair, of course, you can have it straight or curled. How long the ‘artificial’ curl will last will depend on the thickness of your hair and how straight it is.
Weather conditions play a big part in how well our hair behaves. Once you learn the tricks to managing your naturally curly or straight hair, you can start trying out different variations of styling your own hair — and actually enjoy those tresses!
Nadisha Wittachy is an Art Director and CEO of Salon Luminaire, a boutique salon located off Jawatte Road at 15 Suleiman Avenue, Colombo 5.
Nadisha can be reached at nadisha@salonluminaire.com.
| Tips to embracing and maintaining your hair type Tips for curly hair Avoid washing daily, as it strips out the natural oils in the hair. Three times a week is probably right for most. Use a moisturizing shampoo, preferably sulfate free, as it strips the moisture. Use a moisturizing conditioner. Wash and towel dry hair. Detangle the hair while it is still wet with a wide tooth comb. A curl engergising product can help boost and hold the curl. Avoid brushing and combing when your hair is dry, as it will only make it frizz. Natural drying is best for curly hair. Use a diffuser attachment, if you prefer to use a blowdryer A leave in product that will hold and energize the curl. You may need to try a few products to find one that works best with your hair. Invest in a good haircut. Well-cut layers will help with the right placement of volume. One length curly hair tends to settle in a triangular shape, which creates bulk and can look unflattering. Get your hair cut every 6 to 8 weeks. It will help avoid split ends and maintain the shape. If you have short hair, it will need to be cut well so that it holds the shape. Short haircuts dont have to be boring. They can be styled to stay looking elegant, classy and feminine. Tips for straight hair Straight hair can be easy to maintain. Keep your hair washed regularly, so that it does not look flat and oily. Three times a week is probably right for most. Invest in a good haircut, because unlike with curly hair, any imperfection will show on straight hair. If you are keen on keeping the length, you can add in some layers. Well-placed layers will add texture and movement to otherwise straight hair. Wrong placement or over-layering can thin the hair out, making it look scanty and unflattering. If you are keeping it short, choose a style that sits well with your hair type. A short cut can be done to keep a soft feminine edge and can be styled in different ways. To maintain a short style, you will need to have it trimmed every 4 to 6 weeks depending on how short your cut is. So be ready for regular visits to your stylist! If you are keen on styling your hair curly for an event, and have never done it before, it might be a good idea to try it out in advance. If your hair is very straight and heavy, it may not hold through the event, but use of the right products can help with hold. Tips for all hair types More regular washing may be needed for oiler scalps. Using the right shampoo and washing your hair with cold water is a good way of controlling an oily scalp. If you have coloured hair, you will need to use a shampoo and conditioner suited for coloured hair, which will help with maintaining the colour. |