I've said it before, and I'll probably say it a thousand times more, but having wavy/curly hair is a bit like being a mad scientist. Since I made the decision to ditch my straightener and embrace my natural texture back in 2018, I've learned a lot about the dos and don'ts of how to treat your hair. And while there are some things that I do that specifically target my 2c/3a curls and waves, there are some basic hair rules that I think everyone should live by regardless of hair type.

1. Only shampoo your scalp. I know it's hard, but resist the urge to scrunch all of your hair up onto your head. This will help prevent breakage, while removing build-up from your scalp. Also, look for shampoos with no sulfates, phthalates, or parabens to prevent build-up in the first place. If you don't know where to start, I can help with that!

2. Use conditioner on your ends only. I squish mine in from the bottom. Let it sit for at least two minutes so that your hair has time to absorb all the goodness. I typically do my hair first in the shower, that way the conditioner can sit for an extended amount of time. Rinse with cool water. This is the hardest one for me to follow, but it's important. The cool water will help seal your cuticle, keeping all that moisture locked inside.

3. If there is only one tip you choose to follow from today's post, let it be this one: Do not use a regular, terry-cloth towel on your hair. No matter how soft your towels feel, I promise you they are too coarse for your hair. I recommend a microfiber towel like the Turbie Twist or the Perfect Hair Care Towel (my favorite). Also, don't rub your hair dry as this will result in frizz, split ends, and other damage. Instead, gently squeeze your hair to remove the excess water

4. Apply leave-in conditioner immediately after showering to wet hair. Then "plop" or wrap up in microfiber towel (or a t-shirt) for approximately 10 minutes until hair is damp.

5. Apply styling products to damp, towel-dried hair. Let sit for 10 minutes before applying heat. This gives the hair time to absorb the products.