Your curly-haired kiddo will be the first to tell you — having curls is a fun, bouncy, and beautiful gift! But when it comes to hair maintenance, the process of cleaning and grooming curly hair often ends in tangles and tears. A consistent curl-care routine is essential for happy, healthy hair. 

Here at SoCozy, we want to help your kid keep the curls flowing and embrace their own unique style, from toe to head! From bath time to beyond, there are lots of important steps to help keep your kid’s curls comfortable — and there are just as many pitfalls to avoid. Here’s what to do, and what not to do, for cute curls and a happy head.

What Not to Do to Curly Hair

Don’t Over-Wash Hair

Did you know that it’s possible for hair to be too clean? This is especially true for curly hair. It’s important for natural oils to build between washes to maintain a healthy scalp and hair. Allow 2-4 days in between washes for natural shine and elasticity. In between washes, use a leave-in conditioner or curl mousse to keep curls fresh and lively.

Don’t Use Too Much Shampoo

Just as washing too frequently can strip hair of its natural oils, so can washing with too much shampoo. Additionally, many shampoos contain sulfates and other harsh chemicals that can damage curly hair. SoCozy’s Curl Shampoo Ultra Hydrating Cleanser is sulfate/paraben-free, and contains natural ingredients like olive oil that gently cleanse while maintaining moisture. Use a small dime-size amount and gently massage through wet hair — no need to repeat!

Don’t Rinse Out All of The Conditioner

Here’s a great tip to help lock in locking moisture: leave a bit of conditioner on the bottom strands of hair. This will help to keep the hair soft as it dries, and allows for curls with even more definition and bounce.

Don’t Dry Vigorously with Towels

Rubbing hair with a dry towel post-wash is a sure-fire path to frizz. Instead, cup the towel in your hand and give handfuls of hair a very gentle squeeze to remove excess water. Another great way to avoid frizz altogether? Swap your towel with a cotton T-shirt. The shirt has a smoother texture without the rough grooves on towels, meaning it will absorb the water without disrupting your kid’s curl pattern. Plus, picking out an old T-shirt makes for a fun bath time activity!

Don’t Rush to the Hair Dryer

There’s a reason they’re called hair dryers: they tend to dry out hair. For curly hair, this can mean frizz and damage. It’s always best to air-dry curls — but if you need a quick fix, use a diffuser attachment on your hair dryer. Diffusing attachments disperse the air flow to reduce frizz and protect the natural curl pattern.

Don’t Brush or Comb Dry Hair 

Brushes are a one-way ticket to frizz-city— they disrupt curl patterns and cause breakage and damage. It’s best to ditch the brush entirely and use your fingers to comb, lift, or separate dry curls. If the tangles are particularly treacherous, use a de-tangling or conditioning spray, such as SoCozy's Curl Spray. Spray generously through dry hair and watch your kid’s curls spring back to life. 

What To Do With Curly Hair

Do Use a Wide-Toothed Comb

If brushes are the enemy of curls, wide-toothed combs are a curl’s best friend! To de-tangle, use a wide-toothed comb and gently comb through damp and conditioned hair, starting at the bottom and working your way up to the top of the head. If you don’t have a wide-toothed comb handy, your 10 fingers are a great detangling tool that you’ll always have handy.

Do Use Ample Conditioner

Conditioner is a curly kid’s best friend — a mira-curl, if you will. SoCozy Ultra Hydrating Curl Conditioner is the perfect conditioning product for soft and shiny curls. It uses great-smelling natural ingredients like mango seed butter and papaya extract for its ultra-hydrating formula. Apply a quarter sized amount and work it into hair from tip to root.

Do Detangle After Conditioner

Detangling is an integral step to hair care, and it’s easiest to comb and detangle with the help of a conditioner. After the conditioner has been applied, use a wide-toothed comb or finger comb to comb through tangles, working from the tips of the hair to the roots. The conditioner will help to smooth out any tangles and tugs, making the process painless.

Do Use Curl Spray 

The hair care doesn’t have to stop after showering.  In between wash days, hair can often use a bit of a refresher. Using a leave-in conditioner is a great way to maintain moisture and leave curls bouncy, soft, and shiny. SoCozy Curl Spray is an excellent, versatile product you can use on damp or dry hair. Generously spray on damp hair after a wash, or spray onto dry curls to revive and replenish thirsty strands. Use in tandem with a wide-toothed comb to help tame frizzy flyaways on dry days.

Do Allow Hair to Air Dry

A slow and soft drying process is essential for bouncy and defined curls. After removing excess water, leave hair damp and let the curls air dry — because beautiful hair cannot be rushed.  

Do Add Foam or Mousse for Volume

A great mousse or foam is essential for taming fly-aways and maintaining curl definition. SoCozy’s Curl Volumizing Foam is a lightweight product that provides natural looking control and volume. Using the pump foamer, apply 2-3 pumps evenly distributed through damp curls. Here’s a tip to help pump up the volume: while applying the mousse, cup the hair at the tips and scrunch and squeeze towards the roots in an upward fashion. The freshly-foamed curls will become beautifully bouncy and buoyant! 

Every head of curly hair is beautiful and unique, and caring for it shouldn’t cause a headache. With these dozen ‘do’s and ‘don’ts, you and your curly cutie will become bonafide bathtime pros. Give your kid the gift of a consistent hair care routine, and watch their curls blossom — along with their confidence.