Coiled & curly
If you're prone to dryness: use a rich, creamy moisturising shampoo and conditioner like Wella's Head Games Moisture Bliss Hydrating Shampoo (R144) and Wella's SP Hydro Mask (R156).
Blot hair dry after washing and apply a few drops of a silicone-based shine serum Try: Wella's Head Games Split Personality Smoothing Serum (R134) or Palmer's Hair Success Frizz treatment (R48) to tame dry, frizzy, fly-away hair.
Use fingers instead of a comb to gently detangle hair without stretching and damaging it, and allow it to dry naturally. Try Sebastian Originals Texturiser (R250).
Wild & wavy
Lather with a shine-enhancing shampoo and conditioner as wavy hair tends to be dull and lacking shine. Try Avon Natural Herbals Moisturising Poppy Flower and Almond Milk Shampoo (R23,95).
After washing, smooth and separate wet strands with a wide-tooth comb, then spritz a silicone-based shine-enhancing spray from ends to roots. Try Wella's High Hair Pure Glamour shine fluid, an anti-frizz product, which can be used on straight or curly hair. (R171)
If using a hairdryer, use a tapered nozzle and direct the air flow down the hair shaft from roots to tips to seal the cuticle and avoid the just-stuck-my-finger-in-a-socket look. End with a cold blast to seal cuticles.
Stick straight
Straight hair tends to lie flat against the scalp, where it easily accumulates volume-stripping grease. Avoid this by using a deep-cleaning shampoo daily. Try Organics Winter Warmth Revitalising Shampoo and Conditioner (R29,99 each) and Nourishing Mask (27,99).
To prevent oil and product build-up, a clarifying gel treatment applied to the roots once a week can work wonders. Try: Pantene's Pro-Clarifying Shampoo (R19,99), which is specially designed to remove everyday build-up and styling residue.
If you're looking to enhance sheen, run a flat iron through hair – after blow-drying.
If your hair is devoid of volume, towel dry and then pull up on the top of your head, secure with a wide hair band (that won't damage or crease your hair) and then blow-dry the scalp hair until it's dry. This will give you plenty of volume with little effort. Try Nioxin Volumizing Reflectives Volume and Texture Crème (R160), which gives strength and body to fine hair.
Ethnic hair
Ethnic hair is notoriously difficult and needs specialist pampering and care. It is generally brittle, and has a tendency to split and break. This is because the sebaceous glands produce insufficient sebum to moisturise the hair. And because the hair is tightly curled, the sebum is unable to travel downward to condition it naturally. To treat excessive dryness, especially in cold weather, choose a treatment formulation that replaces natural oils.
If your hair is straightened, the rule is condition, condition, condition, as chemical relaxers remove natural moisture, leaving hair weak.
Ethnic hair is extremely fragile. A gentle touch will avoid unnecessary breakage. Always use a wide-tooth comb or pick.
If hair is relaxed, use a wide-tooth comb and a natural bristle brush. Combing helps spread natural oils through the hair. Use intensive pre-shampoo treatments. Try the Colomer Revlon Realistic range of conditioning creams and relaxer, with jojoba oil and vitamin E. (R11,99—R23,99)
Massage the scalp regularly to encourage natural oil production.
Always towel-blot hair after washing.
Have a monthly hot-oil treatment. Try VO5 Hot Oil treatment (R25,99).
Gels are great for moulding ethnic hair into shape – choose non-oily formulas that give sheen. Blue Magic Styling gel with greaseless, quick-drying and flake-resistant formula is great.(R32,50)
Have braids or extensions done at a reputable salon, as you may suffer traction hair loss if the hair is braided too tightly.
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