Here are 15 of the best products to help care for your coloured curls
From subtle balayage, to dreamy pastels and peakaboo shades, we all love to switch up our hair. But the reality is that dyeing our hair can put some serious strain on its overall health - especially if you have curly hair. In fact, curls are notoriously fragile and prone to breakage, especially compared to straight hair. It often has to endure quite a lot of stress and manipulation from protective styling and detangling, which can cause breakage and dryness throughout the lengths and ends.
If you add artificial colour to it, i.e. permanent and semi-permanent hair dyes, then the hair is exposed to even more chemicals and stress than with styling alone, which can further induce damage. However, that is not to say that we curly-haired babes can’t colour our hair. We absolutely can, but there are a few things we must do to keep our curls healthy and still maintain the colour for as long as possible.
GLAMOUR had asked some experts for their top tips into caring for your coloured hair. Here's what they had to say:
Can curly hair be coloured and stay strong/not lose its pattern?
“Yes absolutely - I’m a testament," says Winnie Awa, founder of Carra, the personalised afro and textured hair service platform. "Pre-lockdown, I had pink, candy floss hair. However, colouring curls needs to be done responsibly as the hair is rather fragile and dyeing is a chemical process which raises the hair cuticle, making it more susceptible to dryness and breakage. In order to ensure that the hair remains strong, it is important to take extra steps to replenish the moisture and protein balance of the hair.”
Hairstylist to the stars and founder of hair brand Fekkai, Frederic Fekkai, agrees: “Curly hair can stay strong even when coloured, however, you need to ensure that you're keeping your curls moisturised. In order for you to keep the structure and pattern of the curls. Colouring your curls may dry out the texture a little, but it will not eliminate the curl pattern at all.” Fekkai recommends using a curl redefine gel to protect the curl structure without stripping the colour.
Nick and Sean from The Hair Bros highlighted all of the above and added that virgin hair may require more added attention: “If your hair has not been coloured before, you could opt for a high lift tint instead, or perhaps a method of colour that doesn’t require using lots of bleach frequently. This could mean opting for balayage instead of highlights.”
Best tips to care for coloured curls at home and at the salon?
Colouring your hair for the first time should be done with a professional, when at home, Awa also recommends making deep conditioning and protein treatments your BFF. “Alternating these two treatments will help ensure that your hair is juicily moisturised. Make sure that they perform a strand test before starting the treatment and use an Olaplex treatment to protect against breakage.” Nick and Sean also promote a heat-less or heat-free routine. “Find a method of drying your hair that doesn’t require excessive heat.”
Frederic adds that a consistent hair routine is crucial for both coloured and chemically treated hair: “Always use a shampoo, conditioner and most importantly a mask, to make sure the colour stays intact and doesn’t fade away and the curls remain bouncy and wavy. Another tip is to use a deep mask treatment for a few hours a week, as this will put all the moisture back into curls.”
Things to avoid when you have curly coloured hair?
Awa advises us all to stay away from colour if you have chemically straightened hair. “Celebrity Stylist Dionne Smith once told me that if my hair was relaxed, she would not let me colour it. This is because the double chemical processing makes the hair especially vulnerable to damage and breakage.”
While, Fekkai reminds us of something some of us out there are guilty of — never brush or comb your curls when your hair is dry! “You must always make sure to use a water mist on your brush or comb before touching your hair, as this will help to retain the structure and avoid frizz.” In terms of ingredients Fekkai would encourage us to “avoid salt and chlorine water when possible.”
Nick and Sean also encourage us to stay away from any products that contain silicones, sulphates and alcohol. “Sulphates and Non-water-soluble silicones typically tend to strip/ dry out curly hair. The primary function of sulphates such as SLS are to clarify hair. This will strip the scalp of oils, create product build up and dirt which result in a very itchy scalp.” They also added: similarly, to sulphates, alcohols strip hair of moisture and essential oils leaving hair looking dryer and straighter.”
Product recommendations for coloured curls?
Picking colour safe strengthening shampoos and conditioners that prevent fading and still keep your colour vibrant and fresh is key. Awa says: “Be careful with styling products that have alcohol as this contributes to dryness and will cause your colour to fade prematurely. Use daily moisturisers with sunscreen to keep your hair protected.”
Although there are products out there for every hair type, no two heads are the same. Carra.Co, the brainchild of Winnie Awa was built with just that in mind. “If you are thinking of colouring your hair, or need support in caring for your coloured hair, sign up to speak to our expert Carra hair coaches.”
We have put together a list of 15 curl friendly colour products to help you achieve any shade you desire as well as look after your hair.
The fortifying leave-in conditioner
MoroccanOil All in One Leave-In Conditioner, £22.65, Look Fantastic
This fortifying leave-in conditioning treatments helps to shield strands from the damage that comes from heat styling. It’s formulated with a lightweight milky textured, nourishing blend of Argan oil and fatty acids used to protect the hair from breakage without stripping colour.
The curl styling cream
SheaMoisture Coconut Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie, £12.99, Look Fantastic
This styling cream is specifically designed to treat thick and curly hair, using natural and certified organic ingredients. The blend of silk protein, neem and coconut oils provide nourishment while controlling the frizz, making it the perfect last step to restore shine in coloured curls and protect them from breakage. The smoothie is free from sulphates, parabens, phthalates, paraffin, mineral oil and synthetic colour.
The curl cream
Rita Hazan Colorless Curl Creme , £22, Net-A-Porter
This styling crème is designed to define and enhance your curls, offering flexible hold that lasts all day without affection colour. It's formulated with a blend of Shea Butter and Avocado Oil that deeply hydrates and detangles hair all while controlling that pesky frizz that can occur with some curl types. Plus, it's perfect for all types and textures from the loosest to the coarsest of curls.
The lightweight shine booster
Flora & Curl Sweet Hibiscus Curl Defining Gel, £16, Look Fantastic
This brand understands curls of all shapes, sizes and colours. This lightweight gel works hard to give body, control and shine with added moisture and hydration to the curls without stripping their natural oils. It’s enriched with rice protein for conditioning each strand and preventing them from feeling dry and crisp and the sweet almond is there to leave hair looking shinier, softer and healthier-looking.
The replenishing oil
AVEDA Nutriplenish Multi-Use Hair Oil, £30, Cult Beauty
This replenishing oil that is 100% derived from vegan ingredients is an ideal styling aid and scalp treatment. Formulated with a blend of five power oils which include avocado, coconut and jojoba, which provide your locks with hydration and shine while being gentle enough to protect colour. As a sweet bonus, it has a delicate pure-fume aroma of cocoa ginger and flower essences.
The colour-boosting shampoo
Maui Moisture Curl Quench Coconut Oil Shampoo, £8.99, Boots
This shampoo is designed for all curl types and is ideal for smoothing, hydrating and reducing frizz. It’s formulated with a blend of aloe vera juice for cleansing and moisture, coconut water and oil, and fruit extracts like payapa, meaning it not only nourishes your curls but it will also help to naturally revive the colour and strengthen ends, which become prone to breakage after dyeing.
The anti-breakage shampoo
Aveeno Color Protect+Blackberry & Quinoa Blend Shampoo, £8.99, Boots
This shampoo was formulated specifically to prevent breakage and colour fade over time all while respecting the scalp balance. The quinoa provides a high concentration of protein and essential amino acids that bond the hairs natural keratin proteins.
The treatment mask
FEKKAI Technician Colour Treatment Mask, £25, Feel Unique
This powerful treatment mask is specially designed for colour-treated hair. It’s infused with oils for the most intense hydration and delivers gloss and shine without that sticky aftermath feeling. It also protects hair from drying and against the damaging effects of UV exposure on colour.
The leave-in conditioner
Curls Blueberry Bliss Reparative Leave-In Conditioner, £14.99, Amazon
Looking to repair damaged hair, restore vibrancy, and condition your coloured curls? This softening leave in conditioner is formulated with a fusion of certified organic blueberry extract, coconut oil, grapeseed oil and mango butter. It is also designed to encourage hair growth, and prevent breakage which may come with bad dye jobs.
The sulphate-free shampoo
Mielle Babassu Oil Conditioning Sulfate-Free Shampoo, £15.50, Amazon
This gentle yet rich Babassu deep conditioning shampoo is designed for dry and curly hair types in a blend of naturally fatty alcohols and almond protein to soften, moisturise and strengthen hair as well as providing elasticity and bounce. The hibiscus extracts provide shine and qid untangling, all without stripping the hair of its colour and natural oils.
The eco-friendly colour conditioner
Rhyme & Reason Colour Protect Conditioner, £8.99, Boots
This eco-friendly conditioner is 94% naturally derived and formulated for colour treated hair protection against fading. The Babassu oil, white tea and antioxidants blend helps to enhance, protect and lock in colour for a radiant, glossy finish, as well as keeping the hair moisturised.
The detangling milk
Pantene Gold Series Leave-On Detangling Milk, £7.99, Superdrug
This Leave-On Detangling Milk is a lightweight non-wash conditioner that serves as a detangling agent that doesn’t disrupt the curly pattern and doesn’t leave hair feeling greasy or weighed down. The milky texture smoothes the cuticle of the hair for easier combing and a glossy look and feel.
The silicone-free conditioner
Only Curls All Curl Conditioner, £16, Only Curls
You will love this silicone-free, hydrating conditioner as it's designed to hydrate your curls whether coloured or natural, without weighing them down. The fusion of the jojoba, avocado, coconut, argan oils amongst others are used to penetrate the hair shaft and naturally moisturise hair root to tip. A great detangler and anti-frizz conditioner, it's ideal for all curl types and also leaves you with a citrusy, coconut scent.
The curl-defining gel
Olew Curl Defining Gel, £15, Olew
This curl-defining gel is formulated with maca root extract infused with a natural oil combo with protein to stimulate growth and boost the appearance and shape of your curls. It’s ideal to lock in moisture which eventually will lead to a reduction of damage and split ends, leaving your coloured looks feeling nourishing and shiny. All an added bonus for its overall styling and hold properties.
The toning shampoo and conditioner
Watermans Tone Me Blonde Shampoo & Conditioner Set, £19.99, Watermans Hair
This anti-brassiness duo is designed with the most coily of blonde-dyed curls in mind. It helps to reduce breakage and strengthen artificially coloured blonde locks, but also ideal for natural and dyed-grey hair. It is advised to only use the set once or twice a week to avoid over toning which can lead to a purple hue.
