CURL POWER!

With ‘Freedom Day’ delayed for a few more weeks, there’s time to embrace waves, curls and coils with these grooming steps to stamp out fuzz and dryness

1 SWAP YOUR SHAMPOO

Avoid shampoos with sulphates and silicones, as they harm the curl pattern. You only need to wash hair once every 6-10 days, depending on your hair type. Focus on the roots, massaging your scalp to remove any product build-up.

2 MOISTURISE, MOISTURISE

Curly hair tends to be drier, because the natural oils don’t travel down the hair shaft as easily as with straight hair. Use nourishing conditioners and masks – apply through ends, and comb through with a widetooth comb. Never brush curly hair when it’s dry, because it’s more prone to damage – make sure it’s coated in conditioner, then comb it through.

3 STYLE WHEN IT’S WET

Apply oils and your styling creams and gels when hair is soaking wet – this allows products to sink in properly, and tackles frizz before it starts to form. Start with an oil, then follow with a styling cream. Take a pound coin-sized amount (for long hair), warming with your hands, then scrunch in, section-by-section. Follow Olew’s online tutorials for the exact method if you’re a beginner.

4 DRY GENTLY

Heat styling worsens damage, so sticking to air-drying is your best bet when it comes to curls. Use a microfibre towel or a T-shirt. It might sound odd, but the smooth material is ideal – the texture of a normal towel causes frizz. If you’re in a rush, use a hairdryer with a diffuser.

5 HIT REFRESH

Sleep in a high ponytail (ideally with a silk or satin scrunchie) to stop curls flattening while you’re asleep. Use a styling spray on day three or four to help redefine flattened curls – tip your head upside down and spray liberally. You could also wash with just a conditioner to totally revive hair between thorough washes.