How to Bring Bounce Back to Your Curls
Throughout our lives, our hair is constantly changing, and as we get older, our hair absolutely needs more love than ever. Our strands start to age, which means they’re a bit weaker, a bit grayer and less springy—especially if we’ve got curls and even damaged curly hair. The natural curl pattern in our hair inevitably changes (and often not in a way we welcome), but getting curls back to the bounce we want can be done with the right techniques and the right products.
If you’re looking to restore your natural curl pattern because your curls have lost their bounce or you have no curl definition at the roots and want to restore elasticity to natural hair, here’s everything you need to know.
What Happens to Curls as You Age
If you have curly hair, you probably already know that your curls can start to droop as you age, leading to curly hair that’s hard to manage. (Then again, figuring out exactly how to manage curly hair has been a lifelong challenge!) Aging hair also grows weaker and weaker as time passes, and while that can lead to breakage, it can also lead to less springy curls and damaged curly hair.
Hair grows thinner as you age as well, which can also contribute to curls losing definition. You might notice no curl definition at your roots and a lack of curl elasticity in your strands due to increased dryness. There are ways to help your natural curl pattern, though, with a bit of extra time and love.
Best Hair-Care Ingredients to Help Curls
One of the best things you can do to restore your natural curl pattern and bring back curl elasticity and definition is to pay attention to the ingredients you’re putting on your locks. Ingredients that add moisture and build strength are especially key. Here are some of the ingredients to look for in your hair-care products for training curly hair:
Argan Oil
This oil is known to be helpful in bringing moisture to your scalp and hair, thanks to the vitamin E in it.
Vitamin E
And speaking of vitamin E, it can be beneficial for your scalp in that it can help add moisture, protect it from toxins and even bring shine back to your hair.
Coconut Oil
This oil is known to bring moisture as well. It’s a natural oil that can be beneficial for any hair type, but coconut oil for curly hair is an especially good idea for hydrating those ringlets.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is known to soothe your scalp and clean oily strands. Plus, the vitamins A, C and E help promote hair health and smooth curls.
Murumuru Butter
This ingredient can help tame frizz and keep your curls defined.
Jamaican Black Castor Oil
This oil is a known moisturizer that brings in hydration and adds shine so your curls can have a whole new life.
Rice Amino Acids
Great for unruly curls, this is known to tame frizz, support manageability and strengthen the hair shaft for more defined curls.
How to Restore Elasticity to Natural Hair
It’s imperative to use the right products when you’re training curly hair and getting curls to bounce back and look more defined, especially as you age. Our Bounce Back collection—shampoo and conditioner—is chock-full of good-for-your-hair ingredients that can bring moisture back to dry, aging hair and strengthen those curls. You can also boost your hair with Better Not Younger’s License to Curl: Curl Revival Boost Spray, which is especially designed for aging hair. This spray reshapes and reactivates loose, thinning, aging curls, helping them stay resilient, defined and fresher between washes. By using curl-specific products that keep hair moisturized and strong, you’re instantly helping your curls stay intact.
Styling Tips and Tricks to Restore Your Natural Curl Pattern
Beyond simply washing, conditioning and defining your curls with the right products, you can also style your hair in ways that will lend your curls a helping hand and restore their natural curl pattern. To start, you can lean into the right haircuts that give curls a better chance. Shorter tends to be better, because gravity will only pull your long hair down. Adding some layers gives your curls some lift, too, which can help them stay coiled.
You’ll also want to be mindful of how much heat you’re putting on your hair. Hot tools can dry out your hair, especially if you haven’t protected your strands with a spray like No Remorse, so consider letting your hair air-dry with some curl-friendly product in it or diffusing it gently.
Another trick to try is adding some volume at the root with root clips. These clips hold your hair up at the root so that the ends aren’t pulling your hair straight. This can be very beneficial for thin, fine hair that is already subject to being dragged down by gravity.
A very popular trick for helping your curls and restoring a natural curl pattern is plopping. Great for keeping curls intact right after you’ve washed your hair, it’s a heat-free method for drying your curls using a T-shirt or microfiber towel. This cuts down on breakage while drying and encourages the curls to stay all coiled up.
Tell Us: What are some of your favorite tips and tricks for keeping curls bouncy? Share in the comments below!
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Better Not Younger knows that curl care becomes even more important as we age and our hair becomes thinner, duller and more brittle. That’s why our collection of curly hair products focuses on moisture and strength to help reactivate, reshape and refresh your curls so they stay resilient and fresher between washes!