Hair Care for the Biracial Woman
- Biracial women can have a wide range of hair textures. You may find that yours is extremely curly or perfectly straight. For that in-between texture that's wavy to curly, following steps that pamper curly hair will help you get the best results. Whether your hair forms big, loopy waves or tighter, pencil-width curls, your emphasis should be on maintaining the curl without inviting frizz.
- The curlier your hair is, the drier it usually is. Biracial women should use shampoos and conditioners made specifically for dry and/or damaged hair.
You should shampoo your hair at least once per week; the less curly your hair is, the more often you may need to shampoo it, especially if your hair's natural oils cause it to feel greasy. Follow each shampoo with a rinse-out conditioner. Use a moisturizing leave-in conditioner on wet or damp hair. - Biracial women should use wide-tooth combs and soft, boar bristle brushes. You might also like plastic bristle brushes, depending on the degree of your curl. Tightly curled hair shouldn't be styled with plastic bristle brushes except for detangling. However, looser curls can benefit from plastic bristles for working products through the hair.
The coarser your hair is, the gentler your tools and accessories should be. Stick to elastic headbands, covered elastics and plastic pins. Avoid ponytail holders with metal parts and rubber bands, which can "catch" and pull out your hair. - After shampooing and conditioning, apply gel to your wet hair. It's helpful to do this in sections, so divide your hair into three parts: two front sections on either side and a back section. Begin at the back and apply enough gel to evenly coat your hair. Rake your fingers through it or comb through it with your comb or plastic bristle brush.
Move to the front sections and apply gel in the same manner.
The most important step after applying your products is to leave your hair alone. Your hair needs to "set" this way in order for your curls to remain curly and not frizz up. The best drying method is to air dry, but if you're in a hurry, use a diffuser on low heat. - If you wear your hair curly, you'll need a good, lightweight, alcohol-free gel to style it. Use alcohol-free products whenever possible because alcohol is drying. You can also use setting lotion to set your curls.
Steer clear of heavy oils and pomades, which can be too heavy for biracial curly hair. If you feel your hair needs additional moisture, use a light, natural oil such as rosemary, grapeseed or jojoba.
