Finding the perfect hair care routine can be difficult, with so many products and treatments to choose from, all for different types and styles of hair.

We’ve created a guide to help you find the routine best suited to your hair type, which will give you a great starting point for perfecting your hair care routine and ensure you’re using the right products the right way, for maximum effect. 

We’ve included tips and tricks on how best to take care of straight, wavy, curly and coily hair types; from choosing the right shampoo formula to applying the optimum conditioner, our guide has it all covered. So, whether you’re looking to keep your mane nourished or want a little extra volume, read on and discover the critical steps in keeping your tresses luscious all year round!

How to Find Out What your Hair Type is

This is a great place to start, as your hair type will help you choose products and treatments that are perfectly suited for you.

Firstly, you should understand the difference between the main different hair types; straight, wavy, curly and coily (also known as Afro-textured) hair. Straight hair is generally smooth and shiny, with no discernible structure or curl pattern. Wavy hair typically has a slight wave or ‘S’ shape, while curly hair can range from loose spirals to tight coils. Finally, coily or Afro-textured hair is the most tightly curled of all the types.

Now that you know the various types, it’s time to determine your unique texture! First, stand in front of a mirror and look at your locks - note any patterns or changes in texture as you run your fingers through them. 

If you have straight hair, you won’t be able to feel any bumps or waves when running your fingers through it. For wavy locks, you should be able to notice subtle S shapes throughout the strands. 

If you have curly hair, then examine them closely - if they run into each other and form spirals, then this indicates that your hair is curly. Lastly, those with coily tresses look for very tightly wound curls that are often quite difficult to unknot or separate without other styling products like gel or hairspray!

Armed with all the information you need about your hair type and texture, it’s time to make sure you know what your hair needs to ensure it looks and feels at its best all year round.

Caring for Straight Hair

If you have straight hair, it’s crucial to maintain it properly to keep your strands looking and feeling healthy. Here are some tips on how to care for your straight locks:

Hair Washing – Straight hair tends to be relatively low maintenance and requires less frequent washing than other hair types. Ideally, it would help if you tried to wash your hair no more than 2-3 times a week with a mild shampoo and conditioner combo. Ensure not to overload your locks (also called ‘tresses’) with product, as this can cause build-up and make the strands appear dull or greasy.

Styling – With straighter hair types you have many styling options to choose from, such as sleek ponytails, pulled back buns or side-swept bangs - all of which can help give your look an elegant edge! When styling, choose products specially designed for straight hair so they won't weigh down the strands or leave them feeling greasy afterwards.

Also, avoid going overboard when using heated styling tools like irons or curling wands to avoid damaging the hair cuticles. Only use them as needed to tame your mane.

Caring for Wavy Hair

When caring for wavy hair, there are a few key points to keep in mind. Here are some tips on how to care for your tousled locks:

Washing – Wavy hair is best washed 3-4 times a week with a mild shampoo and conditioner combo, tailored to your hair. Since wavy hair can be prone to dryness, it’s essential to use products made specifically for curly or wavy types so as not to weigh down the strands or cause frizz. Also, it’s advisable to avoid washing with very hot water, as this can strip away essential moisture and leave your locks dull and lifeless.

Styling – Depending on how many definitions you want in your waves, you can opt for one of two styling techniques: if you desire a full body, then try scrunching damp strands while blowing air through them; alternatively, try applying a light curl-enhancing cream product before diffusing dry if you prefer more defined kinks! 

Braiding damp strands overnight is also an effective way of getting beachy waves without having to use any styling tools. Lastly - always remember not to go overboard when using heated styling tools like curling irons or crimping irons so as not to damage the cuticles of your delicate locks!

Caring for Curly Hair

If you have curly hair, take special care to keep it healthy and looking its best. Here are some tips on how to care for your bouncy locks:

Washing – Curly hair tends to be quite delicate, so it’s essential to wash it no more than 2-3 times a week with a mild shampoo and conditioner combo explicitly tailored to your curly needs. Additionally, try to use lukewarm water when washing, as hot water can strip away essential oils and leave the strands feeling dry and brittle afterwards.

Styling – With curly hair, many styling options are open to you, such as tight twists or bantu knots, all of which help give your look an elegant edge! When styling, choose products specifically designed for curls so they won't weigh down the strands or leave them feeling greasy afterwards. Avoid going overboard when using heated styling tools like irons or straightening wands to avoid damaging the cuticles further. Lastly - try sleeping with your hair in a loose bun at night time instead of tying it back tightly to retain its bounce during the day!

Caring for Coily Hair

Extra care must be taken if you have coily hair to ensure it stays healthy and looks its best. Here are some tips on how to look after your luscious locks:

Washing – When washing your coily hair, it's essential to remember that this type of hair can be pretty delicate. To ensure its health and longevity, try to limit the washing to no more than once a week with a mild shampoo and conditioner combo specifically designed for curls. Opt for lukewarm water instead of hot water, as it can strip away essential oils from the strands, leaving them dry and brittle afterwards. These precautions will help keep your coily hair healthy and vibrant for longer!

Styling – When styling coily hair, you’ve got a lot of options that can give your look an elegant edge, such as braids, bantu knots or two-strand twists. It’s vital to ensure you’re using styling products designed explicitly for coils. This way, the product won’t weigh down the strands or leave them feeling greasy afterwards. Try to avoid overusing heated tools like curling irons or rollers so as not to damage the cuticles further - instead, sleep with your hair in a loose bun or braided into multiple sections at night, which will help retain its shape during the day.

Drying your Hair

The drying process is similar enough for all four hair types that everyone can follow these general tips:

Drying – After washing and conditioning your curls, gently wring out any excess water before patting dry with a towel - avoid rubbing at all costs, as this will only cause the cuticles to become damaged or irritated. When it comes to drying, opt for air drying over using a hairdryer, if possible, to minimise any potential damage. If you choose to blow-dry, you must keep an even distance between your tresses and the diffuser at all times so as not to damage them further.

What is the best type of shampoo for your hair?

There are a few key things to consider when it comes to finding the right shampoo for your hair type. 

For straight, wavy, curly and coily hair types, choose a shampoo tailored to your specific needs to dramatically improve the overall look and feel of your tresses.

Straight Hair: For those with straight hair, volumizing or nourishing shampoos are best suited for keeping your mane looking smooth and shiny. Volumizing shampoos provide lift and body to thin strands while nourishing shampoos and give an overall boost of shine. Additionally, sulphate-free formulas are best for colour-treated or chemically processed strands as they won't strip away essential oils or fade colours.

Wavy Hair: Wavy locks require lightweight moisturising formulas that maintain natural texture without feeling weighed down or greasy. Ingredients like aloe vera, coconut oil and shea butter can provide hydration without compromising on hold. Additionally, avoiding silicones in your shampoo is essential - these ingredients could leave residue behind in your scalp, which might cause build-up over time.

Curly Hair: Curly hair requires special shampoo to keep the curls bouncy and frizz-free. Look for something rich in moisture yet still light enough so as not to weigh down the curls - you'll want something that seals in hydration and creates a protective layer around each curl so as not to reduce their shape or definition. Look out for plant-based ingredients such as avocado oil and honey, which keep rings soft yet defined without being greasy or heavy.

Coily Hair: Coily hair tends to be dryer than other hair types due to its tight coils being prone to shrinkage - this can lead to difficulty retaining moisture throughout the day if not cared for properly. Search for shampoos specifically designed with coily strands in mind; those rich in hydrating ingredients such as shea butter, cocoa butter, castor oil and almond oil will help lock in nourishment while helping reduce breakage due to tangling.

No matter what hair type you have - straight, wavy, curly or coily - having a tailored hair care routine is essential in keeping your locks looking beautiful all year round!

Does the colour of your hair impact how to best care for it?

If you’re a colour-treated, highlighted or dyed-haired individual, you may want to opt for a shampoo formulated explicitly for coloured locks. This type of shampoo works by helping to seal in colour, thus preventing fading and ensuring your luscious hue stays vibrant for as long as possible. Additionally, look for sulphate-free shampoos - these will help maintain the crucial oils on the scalp and hair follicles without stripping away any colour, thus keeping your mane looking healthy and shiny.

For darker hair colours, something that gently cleanses while keeping moisture levels high is ideal. To this end, more decadent formulas that nourish and provide deep hydration while still providing a thorough cleanse will be best suited. Consider ingredients such as avocado oil and honey which will keep locks soft yet defined without leaving them greasy or heavy.

Lighter hair colours require something particularly gentle that won’t strip away their natural vibrancy or fade their delicate hues over time. Look out for volumizing shampoos that fortify fine strands but don't weigh them down; additionally, products with UV filters can help shield lighter shades from undesirable environmental aggressors such as direct sunlight or air pollution.

No matter what colour your hair is, choosing a tailored shampoo specifically catered to your needs is essential in keeping your tresses looking beautiful all year round!

We recently posted a guide on colouring your hair and finding your perfect shade for a new look, so if it’s of interest, take a read today and start your hair colour journey.

At My Hair & Beauty, we are passionate about helping you to keep your hair looking and feeling its best. Our expansive selection of shampoos, conditioners and styling products caters for all types of locks - so whatever your hair type is, there is something for everyone.


We also post expert advice on how to get the most out of our products; follow our easy-to-use tutorials to adopt a routine explicitly tailored to your mane.

We understand the importance of having healthy, beautiful tresses and want to help you achieve that! So, if you’re searching for high-performance hair care products, head to My Hair & Beauty today and discover the steps you need to keep your hair looking luscious all year round!

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