There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to caring for curls, but creating a routine that’s fun and nurturing will encourage your little one to love their natural texture.
“They are busy little beings and sweat and sebum can quickly build up, so making hair washes a time for bonding, instead of a chore, is a win all around,” explains Keisha Lawler, founder of haircare brand Trepadora. “You just need a few good products to start with, and you can add more as they get older and their hair changes. I do recommend a silk or satin scrunchie though, for when they sleep. And depending on their texture and styling preferences, doing French braids, a braided pony-tail or twists will most definitely reduce tangles.”
Regular trims will also help see off knots, and if you need to use a hairdryer - because going to bed with wet hair is never a good idea, use a diffuser on a low setting.
Emma Adamson-Jones, a curl specialist and founder of the Adamson Jones Salon in Ilandudno, North Wales, also suggests finding a routine that “feels easy for you and your child”. To keep curls moisturised and knot-free, she tells Junior: “Avoid rough towel drying, instead gently squeeze water out. Also, always detangle with plenty of ‘slip’ (never when hair is dry), working in small sections from the bottom up. And a silk or satin pillowcase will reduce frizz and breakage, too.”
Regular trims will also help see off knots, and if you need to use a hairdryer – because going to bed with wet hair is never a good idea, use a diffuser on a low setting.
“Of course, it is possible for your child’s curl type to change as they grow up,” Keisha tells us. “There are lots of charts online around this topic, but curl typing is not relevant in my experience, except perhaps for when you book a salon appointment. For a minute there, I didn’t think my daughter’s hair would be curly, as it was straight for a long time, then wavy for an even longer time. Now, at 13, she has beautiful springy waist length curls that she loves.”
See our round up of Junior’s curly hair heroes - our tried-and-tested edit of the most gentle and nourishing products for children.
Child’s Farm Coco-Nourish Shampoo, £5.50
Infused with nutrient-rich coconut water, this sweet-smelling, sulfate-free shampoo cleanses, softens and strengthens curls. And remember, as you massage it in, don’t pile all their hair on top of their head – if you want to avoid knots and matting.
Cantu for Kids Nourishing Conditioner, £3.96
Blending shea butter, coconut oil and honey, this conditioner is a real hit of hydration for curls and coils. You can also use it as a ‘pre-poo’ treatment, where you apply it before shampoo to help detangle and lock in moisture.
Nala’s Baby Tropical Blast Hair Oil, £4.95
The perfect pick-me-up for curly heads, this natural oil blend can be massaged into dry scalps or smoothed down lengths to strengthen and add shine. We love its warm, beachy fragrance, too.
Original Sprout Curl Calmer, from £11.99
Recipient of a Gold Junior Design Award in the Best Baby Toiletries category, we are big fans of this range – and the Curl Calmer has its own cult following. Use as a leave-in conditioner to revive ringlets in-between wash days.
My Little Coco Flyaway Hair Fix, £7.25
For when you tuck their curls away in protective styles, use this cream bar to smooth down their hairline. Founder Rochelle Humes has posted the cutest video of her son Blake using it on his ‘man bun’.
Only Curls Cleansing Co-Wash, £18
A co-wash (short for ‘conditioner washing’) gently cleanses hair without stripping out its moisture and natural oils. If you decide to add one to their routine, this non-foaming formula still manages to remove any product build-up and is suitable from age 3.
Babassu Quench Leave-In Curl Primer, £30
When we talk about ‘slip’, this conditioner has it in spades. Suitable from three years old, take the drama out of detangling by applying it to wet hair and let the coveted babassu seed oil loosen up those knots.
Garnier Method For Curls Spray, £4.99
This spray manages to add moisture and seal cuticles without containing any silicones, which can weigh hair down. It’s giving glossy, bouncy curls – with no stickiness.
Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly Scrunching Jelly, £8.95
A lightweight styling gel (of Tik Tok fame) that helps hair hold onto its curl pattern and prevents frizz from forming. Apply to wet or damp hair and when it’s dry, scrunch out the crunch!
Aveeno Baby Kids Curling Cream, £6.49
If your child has a dry and flaky scalp, this oaty Curling Cream is suitable for sensitive skin. Only mildly fragranced, it’s hydrating but not heavy. Another one that doesn’t need rinsing out, use on dry or damp hair.
Every curl has its own pattern and this Curl Activator helps rekindle every bend and curve. Mini Ü is another range recognised at the Junior Design Awards – the judges praised its imaginative and planet-friendly products.
