Do you have coily or texturized hair and are unsure of which hair products will work for your hair type? Coily and texturized hair is beautiful and can be styled in many ways, but it can be a challenge for many individuals with this type of hair to fully understand how to properly care for their hair type. We will take a deep dive and review a few essential tips to take care of it and review shampoo, conditioners, and detangling tips. First, we’ll start with its definition.

What is coily and texturized hair?

Texturized hair is defined as hair that has a natural wave –i.e., hair that is not straight. The natural wave can follow a curl or coil pattern. While coily hair is seen a little bit differently and is often described as a 4A to 4C hair type, and the hair pattern can be tight coil to a Z-pattern. 4A hair is often described as a tight curl while 4C hair can be described as the tightest curl and can resemble a Z-shaped curl pattern. Both hair types have high density, and one of the areas for concern is dryness and breakage.

Quite simply, texturized and coily hair is fragile, and fragile hair needs to be treated with care. Think of it as a crystal ball: it is beautiful to look at and at the same time it needs to be handled with tender loving care.. This is the approach with coily and texturized hair–beautiful to look at but needs to be handled with TLC.

Shampoo essential: moisturizing shampoo

To handle texturized and coily hair with care you want to pick a moisturizing shampoo. Why? You want to use a product that will help to: (A) protect the hair shaft, (B) strengthen the hair shaft, and (C) prevent breakage. Remember texturized and coily hair is fragile and is prone to breakage and dryness, so it is important to ensure that you choose a shampoo that will add moisture and retain hydration to your hair. Let’s repeat that you want a product that will ADD moisture to your hair and retain hydration. That way, we are helping prevent dryness and breakage.

Here’s an example of two moisturizing shampoos: Aveda’s Cherry Almond Softening Shampoo and Hask’s Argan Oil Repairing Shampoo. Both shampoos are designed to add moisture and cleanse your hair without stripping away your hair’s natural oils–we want to retain moisture in the hair. Aveda’s Cherry Almond Softening shampoo is filled with 97% naturally derived ingredients including sweet almond, which will soften your curls and add bounce, while the ingredients of coconut and babassu will help to cleanse your hair and retain healthy hair oils.

Remember adding moisture is the key when caring for healthy and strong coily and texturized hair. I’m personally a big advocate of using natural products on my hair, but each person must decide what is best for them.

Conditioning and detangling

Keeping with the goal of moisturizing texturized and coily hair, you want to pick a conditioner that will protect the hair shafts with deep moisturization. Focus on picking a product that is infused with one of the following ingredients: shea butter, coconut, olive, avocado, jojoba, argan, or baobab oil. These types of butter and oil will help to lock in moisture. It is helpful when picking a conditioner that you look for a deep moisturizing conditioner whose main ingredient is a natural oil or butter base. Argan oil is an excellent moisturizer for your hair and scalp too, and it helps to prevent dryness and frizz. Consider avoiding products that have unnecessary additives such as sulfates, parabens, and phthalates.

Detangling essentials

Consider detangling when you have the deep conditioner lathered throughout your hair. First, section your hair into four parts. Parts can be sectioned into a small bun, twist, or braid. Sectioning your hair will make it easier to detangle it and will help to maintain moisture and keep the hair soft and manageable while each section is being moisturized with the deep conditioner.

To detangle your hair, consider using:

  • A wide-tooth comb

  • A tangle teezer brush

The wide-tooth comb will help with both sectioning and detangling your hair. Start by detangling the end of your hair strands, then work your way upwards towards your scalp. To detangle your hair, consider using a wide-tooth comb and/or a tangle teezer brush. The benefit of a tangle teezer brush is that it is designed for the coily and texturized hair pattern.

You’re all set! Embrace and enjoy your texturized and coily hair. Your hair needs some tender loving care and some thought when it comes to choosing products that will help protect and care for your hair. Hope these essential tips will help you to better care for, understand, and love your texturized and coily hair.