Curls are cool

Karman Singh

It’s time to embrace the curls. Times change and so do trends. Curly hair, once considered ‘ugly’ is now in vogue. And you know that as you browse your social media accounts. These days, every other Instagram post features someone guiding you through those CGM (Curly Girl Method) routines. “In my teens, it took me a while to accept and cherish my curls. But once done, there’s no going back,” says Rupali Hasija. “Indian curls are beautiful and make you stand out in the crowd,” she adds.

It’s worth it
But then curly hair requires extra love and care. Rashmeet Kapoor from Hairmasters says, “Curly hair requires more care than straight hair, but healthy, manageable, and shiny curls are worth all the effort.”
Quick fixes
“Blessed with curly hair? Flaunt it!” says Koushalya from Curlsopedia. She juggles motherhood and scalp care, emphasising that minimal products can work wonders. “When in doubt, add water!” she says. Techniques matter more than products.
Curly hair is tough because of its texture, and water evaporates quickly. There are methods to retain the water content. This is What the experts say:

• Shampoo your hair using a mild, paraben-free shampoo.
• Deep condition clean hair, leave it for 5-10 minutes, and gently rinse.
• Maintain your texture for 3-4 days by using styling cream and gel. Apply leave-in cream on wet hair for maximum hydration.
• Invest in a good hair gel and apply it as the last step to keep the shape of your curls intact. Prefer air drying or use a diffuser.

“Maintaining curls with such a long routine can feel daunting, as hair moods change with weather conditions. Curls become prone to frizz when humidity spikes in the summer and get extremely dry during the winter. Ingredients like shea butter, argan oil, aloe vera, and sulphate-free cleansers are essential. Make sure to check the list of basic ingredients while buying products,” says Hasija.

Best styles for curly hair
Kapoor suggests some styles suitable for curly hair: Pixie cut, shaggy cut, Asymmetrical bob and layered cut.