If you’re not used to taking care of curly hair, or even if you are, it can be quite terrifying. Should you brush it when dry? What kind of brush is best? Am I doing this right? All scary thoughts and great questions!

We put together a quick little read to give you the basics, but if you're interested in more information about caring for your kids curly hair, check out: The Complete Guide for Kids Curly Hair

Truth of the matter is, there are simple rules to live by when managing your kids curly hair. Doing so will not only make their curly hair look great, but will also help you teach your child how to take over their own hair care routine as they grow older. And if you keep these Do’s and Don’ts in mind, the task at hand will scare you less and might even be enjoyable.

Do look for products specifically formulated for Toddlers and Kids with Curly Hair

Kids with curly hair are special and unique – and that’s a good thing! Because of this they need special curly hair shampoos and conditioners designed specifically for them.

Since moisture is naturally lacking in curly hair, you’ll want to look for products created to hydrate and moisturize. Choose products with natural ingredients including murumuru butter, avocado butter, coconut oil, aloe vera, jojoba oil, and quinoa that provide the nutrients curly hair needs coupled with the ability to lock in moisture and prevent frizz.

Stay away from products containing alcohol and sulfates. These ingredients dry out hair and contribute to tangles, split-ends, and breakage.

Do Look for Curly Hair Styling Products for Kids Curly Hair

Little kids need styling products too! In fact, a great lightweight curly hair styling gel or mousse can mean the difference between major frizz and smooth and shiny. Lightweight products have water or aloe as the first ingredient and contain little oils or butters that weigh down hair. Styling products should also be chemical-free and non-drying.

Do Detangle Your Toddler’s Curly Hair to Minimize Breakage

Spend time in the evening detangling hair as part of the bedtime hair care routine. This will help reduce tangling overnight and create a more peaceful morning hair care routine.

Start by spritzing hair or coating hair in a moisturizing detangling spray. Using a wide-tooth comb, working from the bottom up, gently comb out knots and tangles. If going to bed afterwards, braid hair into several loose braids or put hair in a loose pineapple bun on top of the head to reduce frizz and breakage overnight. In the AM, spritz hair with water to re-energize curls.

Don’t Over wash

Washing hair too frequently strips important natural oils curly hair needs to stay hydrated and healthy. If you’re finding your child’s curly hair drying out despite shampooing once or twice per week, you may want to consider co-washing instead.

Co-washing, or conditioner washing, is a two-in-one way of cleansing the hair without harsh shampoos. You can use your regular conditioner to co-wash if desired. Remember to alternate co-washing days with shampoo days. And be sure to rinse hair thoroughly to prevent conditioner buildup that could weigh down hair. A good rule of thumb is to make sure the water runs clear, but there should still be a good amount of slip on the hair.

Even with co-washing, you still need to shampoo your child’s hair to cleanse their scalp and prevent buildup. The use of a moisturizing shampoo will help prevent any drying that shampoo sometimes causes

Don’t Touch It With Your Fingers

Avoid touching your kids curly hair with your fingers as this can zap oil from their hair and contribute to frizz. Instead use a t-shirt or microfiber towel (ordinary towels also contribute to frizz) to gather hair and soak up water.

It’s also important to only brush curly hair when wet as dry curly hair is more prone to breakage, damage, and split-ends.

Don’t Use Products with Sulfites or Peptides

Peptides are proteins commonly found in hair care products to make hair smooth and shiny. For curly hair, peptides can be a not so good thing as they can cause a substantial buildup on hair follicles leading to dryness and frizz – the exact opposite of what peptides are supposed to do. Avoid products containing peptides or be sure to rinse out those products thoroughly to avoid buildup.

Sulfites give lather to shampoos. Sulfites = bubbles. But you don’t need bubbles to cleanse hair. Natural products that don’t contain sulfites do a fantastic job of cleansing the scalp and hair follicles. Sulfites can contribute to dryness and frizz and should be avoided if possible.

Managing your kid’s curly hair routine is akin to a part-time job. But with a little insight on what to do and what not to do, the job will be easier. And everyone knows when you have little kids at home, you need all the help you can get.

At Fairy Tales Hair Care we love making your job easier by providing quality natural hair care products designed for your child’s curly hair. The Fairy Tales Hair Care Curly-Q kids shampoo, kids conditioner, and styling spray gel is made with all natural ingredients including murumuru, avocado, quinoa, and jojoba to keep your toddlers’ curls shiny and frizz-free. Order yours so you can make Fairy Tales Hair Care part of your kids curly hair routine.