How to Deep Condition Curly Hair + Deep Conditioning Tips

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Curly hair is a beautiful but often misunderstood mistress. 

Curls are often thought of as being high-maintenance, but with the right products and care routine, they can be easy to manage.

One important step in taking care of curly or wavy hair is to condition or moisturize it well. 

If you’re wondering how to deep condition curly hair, continue reading to discover how it can benefit your hair along with some of our favorite products.

What is Deep Conditioning?

Deep conditioning is a process where you use a nourishing mask or treatment on your hair to restore moisture, repair damage, and add shine.

It’s an essential step in any curly girl’s hair care routine as it can help to tame frizz, improve manageability, and give your curls a healthy boost.

More than applying your regular conditioner during bath time, the process involves giving your hair an extra dose of hydration and nutrients to help it look and feel its best. 

This can be done by using a specialized conditioner or product at home or by visiting a professional salon for expert treatment.

Benefits of Deep Conditioning for Curly Hair?

These are the benefits you can reap from taking care of your curly hair:

Reduce Frizz 

One of the main benefits of deep conditioning for curly or wavy hair is that it can help to reduce frizz.

When your hair is hydrated, it is less likely to absorb moisture from the air, which can lead to frizz. To avoid this, use a product that is specifically designed for your hair type.

This will help to keep your hair hydrated and moisturized enough so that your locks won’t have to search for moisture elsewhere.

Increase Bounce

This treatment can also give you more defined curls.

It can also give you more defined curls. This happens by increasing the elasticity of your hair, which in turn gives your curls more bounce.

If your locks are looking a little flat or lifeless, a good deep conditioner can help to give them a boost.

Decrease Damage 

Aside from reducing frizz and returning your curls’ bounce, curly hair deep conditioning can also help to decrease damage.

While heat styling and coloring are often necessary for this type of hair, they can also lead to dryness and breakage.

Specialized products and treatments can help replenish moisture and repair some of the damage that has been done.

Enhance Shine

Additionally, proper care for your hair can revitalize your hair’s appearance by making it shine.

If you have noticed that your hair is beginning to look dull, then deep moisturizing may be just what it needs.

The right product can help to reflect light better and give your hair an overall healthy appearance by providing it with the right nutrients.

What is the Curly Girl Method of Deep Conditioning?

A young woman with curly hair is laughing against a yellow background while showcasing her deep conditioned locks.

This method refers to a specific set of guidelines for taking care of this hair type. One important aspect of this approach is the curly girl method of deep conditioning.

This simply means using a conditioner that penetrates deeply into the hair shaft to hydrate and repair damage.

Taking care of curly or wavy hair is different from other hair types.

As such, if you have this type of hair, you want to make sure that you are using the right products and following the proper methods to keep your curls healthy and looking their best.

How to Condition Curly Hair Using the Curly Girl Method

Get to Know Your Hair Type by Heart

First, you need to know your hair type.

This will help you understand what kind of products work best for your hair, how often you should be conditioning, and the right ingredients to look for in a hydrating or moisturizing hair product.

There are three main types of natural hair:

  • Type 2: Wavy Hair – characterized by S-shaped waves throughout the head. This is the most common type.
  • Type 3: Curly Hair – characterized by loose, loopy curls.
  • Type 4: Kinky Hair – characterized by tight, coiled curls.

Once you know your hair type, you can start to research and experiment with different specialized products to determine what works best for you.

Check the Labels

Next, you should always read the ingredients used on the products you’re eyeing. Type 2C, 3C, and 4C hair are often dry, so you’ll want to avoid products with drying alcohols. 

You’ll also want to steer clear of silicones as they can build up on the hair over time and lead to irritation. 

Moreover, you should avoid sulfates and paraben since these chemicals can strip away the natural oils that your hair needs to thrive.

Ingredients to look for in a good product include:

  • Oils 
  • Butters 
  • Natural ingredients 
  • Glycerin 
  • Protein

Wash with a Clarifying Shampoo

A woman taking a shower while applying shampoo to her curly hair.

Once you’ve found the best product, you should start your deep conditioning routine by washing your hair using a clarifying shampoo. 

This type of shampoo will remove any build-up on your head and hair shafts, allowing the deep conditioner to penetrate your strands better.

Think of it as starting with a clean slate. Otherwise, the product won’t be as effective.

Co-Wash Before You Condition Curly Hair

Co-washing, which means washing your hair with conditioner, is another crucial step to treat hair properly. 

Since curly or natural hair is often drier than other hair types, using a regular shampoo can strip away natural oils that your scalp produces, leading to frizz and fly-aways. 

Co-washing helps to replenish moisture levels in the hair shaft without stripping away any essential oils.

To co-wash properly, apply a generous amount of conditioner to wet hair, focusing on the ends. Use your fingers to detangle your curls, then rinse thoroughly.

A cropped view of a woman applying conditioner to her curly hair

Divide Your Hair into Sections

Now, you’re ready to deep condition your hair! 

Before you start, make sure to section your hair properly. This will ensure that each and every strand of your naturally curly mane receives the attention it needs.

Start by creating four sections in your hair: a front left, a front right, a back left, and a back right.

To do this, use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to make a horizontal part from ear to ear across the top of your head. 

Then, make a second horizontal part about an inch below the first one. 

Finally, use your fingers or a comb to make a vertical part down the center of your head, starting at your forehead and ending at the nape of your neck. 

You should now have four distinct sections in your hair.

If you have thicker hair, you can divide it into eight sections. To do this, make a third horizontal part about an inch below the second one. 

You should now have eight sections in your hair: four on the top of your head and four on the bottom.

Cover and Let It Soak

Once your hair is fully saturated, cover your head with a shower cap or plastic wrap and let the conditioner sit for at least 30 minutes, depending on how much time you have.

If your hair is very dry or damaged, you can leave it on for up to an hour. Some even sleep with the deep conditioner overnight.

Rinse with Cold Water

The last step is to rinse your hair with cold water. It should be cold to help close the hair cuticle and prevent frizz.

Top Curly Girl Friendly Deep Conditioners

These curly girl friendly deep conditioners can help you achieve your best hair ever:

1
Davines Love Curl Mask

Davines LOVE Curl Mask is a one of the beloved deep conditioners, It is specifically tailored to work well with curly or wavy hair.

It contains ingredients that help to hydrate and nourish the hair, such as jojoba oil and Shea butter. It works for finer curls or thicker, more textured curls.

2
OGX Extra Strength Hydrate Repair + Argan Oil of Morocco Hair Mask

OGX's reparative hair mask is infused with argan oil, which is known for its ability to help strengthen hair and restore shine.

This deep conditioner also contains keratin proteins, which can help repair damage and give your curls a boost of hydration.

3
Ethique Solid Conditioner Bar for Curly Hair

This low-waste solid conditioner is made with coconut oil, cocoa butter, and jojoba oil to hydrate and nourish your curls.

Ethique conditioner bars are free from SLS, silicones, artificial fragrances, and other harsh ingredients that can damage your hair.

Moreover, you can use it as a regular conditioner, co-wash, or leave-in conditioner.

4
Mielle Organics Babassu & Mint Deep Conditioner

This deep conditioner has a high protein content with fatty acids and complex amino acids. It is also infused with Babassu oil and mint.

The mint helps to soothe the scalp while the Babassu oil provides moisture and shine.

5
Carol’s Daughter Coco Creme Coil Enhancing Moisture Butter

This deep conditioner is a dream come true for curly girls!

It’s made with 100% natural ingredients like Shea butter, cocoa butter, and coconut oil to deeply hydrate and nourish your strands. Its claim to fame is that it can transform those 4C ringlets to 1C waves.

Plus, it has an amazing smell that will leave your hair smelling great all day long.

Effective Deep Conditioning Tips for Curly Hair

Here are some deep conditioning tips to remember:

Check the Texture

You want a deep conditioner that’s thick. This will help it coat your strands and not slip right off. Check the texture before you buy and make sure it’s creamy.

A lightweight conditioner may not be enough to penetrate and moisturize your strands.

If you have low porosity hair, try using a deep conditioner with heat to open your hair strands and pores so that the product can better enter the strands. 

For high porosity hair, opt for a protein-rich conditioner to help fill in gaps in the cuticle and strengthen your strands.

Get an Ample Amount of Product On

Start with a generous amount of product in your hand, about the size of a tennis ball. You can always add more if you need it, but it’s better to have too much than too little. 

Apply the conditioner to your scalp first and then use your fingers to distribute it evenly through the rest of your hair. 

Be sure to pay extra attention to any particularly dry areas, especially the tips, which are prone to breakage and split ends.

Utilize Heat for Maximum Effectiveness

You can actually improve the effectiveness of your deep conditioner by using heat. 

This can be done in a number of ways, such as sitting under a hooded dryer, using a hair steamer, or wrapping your head in a warm towel. 

The heat will help open up the cuticle so that the ingredients in your conditioner can penetrate more deeply into the hair shaft.

That’s why you also need to rinse the conditioner with cold water to close the cuticle back up again. This will help lock in the moisture from the conditioner and prevent your hair from becoming frizzy.

FAQs: How Often to Deep Condition and Other Questions

How Often Do I Condition My Hair?

You should give your hair some R&R at least once a week to keep it healthy and hydrated. If you have particularly dry or damaged hair, you may need to condition more often.

Can Deep Conditioning Help Heat-Damaged Curls?

If you have heat damage from using curling irons, flat irons, or other styling tools, deep conditioners can help by re-hydrating and re-nourishing your strands. 

Look for products that contain natural ingredients like Shea butter, olive oil, or honey to help repair your heat-damaged hair.

Is Deep Conditioning Necessary for Everyone with Curly or Wavy Hair?

No, not everyone with type 2C, 3C, or 4C hair needs to moisturize their strands deeply. 

If your curls are healthy and you don’t have any issues with dryness, then you can probably get away with just using a regular conditioner. 

Nonetheless, having this as part of your regular haircare routine is ideal to maintain healthy, hydrated curls.

Conclusion: Moisturize Curly Hair for Best Results

When it comes to curly or wavy hair, one of the best things you can do is to rehydrate it deeply. This will help to restore moisture and keep your locks looking their best.

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Authors

  • Stephanie Martin

    Stephanie Martin blends her beauty industry background with expertise in communications to lead in the fashion and beauty world. As a fashion and beauty editor, she is known for engaging and informative articles. Her lifelong passion for fashion, makeup, and hair shines through her work, earning her widespread respect among readers and clients. Stephanie's style, a mix of classic and contemporary, makes her a dynamic and influential figure in the industry, inspiring others with her knowledgeable and approachable insights.

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  • Jessica Hoelscher

    With thirteen years in cosmetology, Jessica Hoelscher is a seasoned stylist recognized for her modern techniques. A graduate of Paul Mitchell the School in St. Louis, her expertise has been showcased on Fox Two News and in People Magazine. Self-employed at Salon Lofts, her work has graced TV screens, styling for renowned events and Ole Miss cheerleaders.

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