TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. The Beauty of Curly Hair
2. The Importance of Nourishing Curly Hair
3. Curly Hair Mask
4. Conclusion
5. FAQs

The Beauty of Curly Hair

The beauty of curly hair lies in its unique texture, every bend, every twist, every kink has a voice, one of resilience and beauty.

Though global beauty standards have made strides in becoming more inclusive. In 2025, we can’t say with total confidence that it’s not just viewed as a momentary hair “trend” to follow, we still need to see a prolonged representation of natural curls and not curls that are styled to achieve Hollywood curls for example.

Natural curls are homage to the helixes in our DNA. While some still view natural curly hair as challenging, natural curls can be a source of empowerment, confidence and beauty when cared for and embraced wholeheartedly. 

The Importance of Nourishing Curly Hair

To maintain healthy curls frequent nourishment is crucial. Due to the unique hair structure curly hair textures have, the bends, kinks and swirls make it naturally more prone to breakage and dryness than other hair types. For this reason, you will find your curls crave ongoing moisture, as moisture from the scalp doesn’t always make it way around every bend and kink in individual hair strands. You’ll often hear the term “moisture-protein balance” thrown around in the curly hair community, this balance is required to prevent damage, maintain moisture, and promote elasticity, the key to defined curls that display a healthy bounce. Whilst it’s easy to admire your favourite influencer or celebrities styling results, it’s important to remember the foundation of vibrant, healthy curls start with a healthy scalp.

Proper scalp care is the first step to overall hair health, and failure to do so could lead to a plethora of issues, from flakiness and dryness to chronic hair loss. 

Tips to Nourish Natural Curls

Whether you’ve always rocked natural curls or have just recently transitioned from chemically treated hair, caring for your curls is paramount. Be sure to follow the below tips to ensure that your beautiful ringlets remain healthy and nourished from the inside out. 

• Conditioning

Typically, natural curls are very dry and prone to breakage. Hence the need for frequent conditioning through use of rinse-out conditioner and a leave-in conditioner to help replenish and restore moisture and protein which naturally erodes over time. If you’re just starting out on your natural hair journey, we recommend conditioning weekly or bi weekly if you’re an avid swimmer. As your hair’s health improves this can be reduced to fortnightly. 

• Limit the Heat

Heat is a double edged sword, on one hand the use of heat through steam is a great additional to your hair regimen as it opens up the hairs cuticles to allowed for deeper penetration of conditioning treatments, particularly important for low porosity hair types. On the other hand excessive use of heat stylers can destroy and damage your natural curl pattern which often cannot be repaired with products along and could result in needing to start your natural hair journey from scratch. Whilst a diffusers is a heat based drying tool, on a low/cool setting this works incredibly well for curly hair types to preserve the hairs integrity whilst speeding up drying time. If you occasionally choose to use a heat based styler ensure you utilise a heat protectant which will help to slow down the transfer of heat to the hair shaft.

• Select Appropriate Styling Products

Styling products like gels, mousses, or sprays are fantastic curl enhancer and should be used to support your styling goals and work with your natural curl pattern and not against. Ensure you’re selecting stylers based on your hair porosity. Low porosity curls can suffer from build up similar to fine curls, start with less product and add more if required. To maintain a natural bounce, avoid heavy products to avoid your curls being weighed down. High porosity curls due to a more open cuticle can enjoy the benefits from slightly heavier without the added weight. If you’re unsure as to whether a styler may work for you, why not try a travel size before committing to full size. You can shop travel size products on our webstore here.

• Not All Oils Are Created Equal

Oils are a great way to seal your curls to prevent rapid moisture loss, some oils offer hydrating properties in addition to sealing for example Jojoba Oil, others support reinforcement in the hair shaft, Almond Oil is a great example as it helps to fill the gaps in the hair cuticle. 

• Protective Styling

Other ways to enhance your natural curl pattern include protective styles that can be undone at a later stage - on Day 3/4 for example to reveal luscious curls. Take two strand twists, you can maximize your curls without using heat. Separate your hair into sections, whilst wet and apply a curl creme or twisting butter of choice and twist each section, allow it to dry and unravel either same day or days after styling to reveal juicy, defined curls.

• Hands Off

We all have a natural tendency to periodically play with our hair whether it affects our ability to see in a given moment or just out of habit. Did you know hands in hair syndrome, as it’s often referred, is considered a form of hair manipulation and can lead to friction resulting in unwanted frizz, breakage and split ends. We highly recommend only manipulating your hair when wet.

• Feed your Hair and Body

It’s often said you can’t outdo a bad diet and the same is true for healthy hair, you must feed and nourish your hair from the inside out. Stocking up on fruits, vegetables, protein-rich fish, nuts and eggs are essential to a balanced diet, which goes well to support hair health right at follicular level. This along with the right products will lead to both flourishing hair and skin. 

Curly Hair Mask

A curly hair mask is generally considered a more potent form of conditioner. It’s designed to be left on the hair longer to allow the ingredients to penetrate deeply and nourish hair strands. Additionally, you’ll find that masks are more concentrated treatments that provide intense repair and hydration to curly hair, helping to de-frizz, strengthen, and restore healthy shine and bounce. 

Benefits of Curly Hair Masks

As curly hair masks are concentrated products, you’ll find they are typically formulated to address a particular hair need or concern and this is more often than not included in the product name, for example, Curls Blueberry Bliss Reparative Mask – the focus here is repair and the product ingredients should support or promote repair of the hair. Other types of curly hair masks include, smoothing, strengthening, moisturizing.

1. Smoothing

Smoothing masks are formulated to smooth the hair shaft, tame frizz, and seal split ends. Be sure to watch out for the inclusion of silicones which have the ability to make hair appear smoother by creating a film around the hair shaft, which can be beneficial temporarily, though, regular and excessive use of silicone heavy products can cause build up over time, leaving the hair dry and brittle as moisture is not able to penetrate.

2. Hydration

Hydration masks are designed to impart and infuse much needed moisture and hydration back into the hair, penetrating beyond the hair cuticle. Ingredients such as deeply penetrating oils, including macadamia, jojoba, shea, avocado, or coconut oil are often found in the formulation along with hydrating humectants such as aloe vera leaf juice, marshmallow root to name a few.

3. Strengthening

If you suffer from weak or brittle strands a strengthening hair mask is one for you. Designed to fortify the hair shaft to make it more breakage resistant therefore promoting better hair elasticity. 

4. Damage Repair and Protect

If hair is brittle, dry, or frizzy it’s a sign to upgrade your haircare stash to include a concentrated reparative mask that will help build back what the hair was naturally designed to have – protein and fill any gaps found in the hair cuticle. 

DIY Curly Hair Masks

Whilst DIY is often advertised as a cost-effective and simple solution to bring back radiance and life to curly tresses, they may not have any long lasting effects especially if not formulated correctly. The key is correct formulation, from ingredients to quantities and ph levels. If you are to make a DIY hair mask as you start out on your natural hair journey, ensure you make use of natural ingredients and tailor treatments to the unique needs of your hair.

With a DIY hair mask for curly hair, knowing which ingredients contain the level of potency and penetrative ability is necessary. Some of the best ingredients for DIY curly hair masks include the following:

• Avocado

Rich in vitamins and fatty acids, avocado is a powerhouse hydration ingredient. It penetrates the hair shaft, enhancing shine and providing moisture. 

• Coconut Oil

Known for deep conditioning properties, coconut oil helps minimize protein hair loss, making it the ideal choice for maintaining healthy ringlets. 

• Honey

A natural humectant that attracts hair moisture. Honey keeps hair smooth and hydrated. Also, it has antimicrobial properties that benefit the scalp. 

• Banana

Not only is banana delicious, but it’s also beneficial to the hair. It contains vitamins and potassium that help soften and moisturize curls. 

• Yogurt

Packed with lactic acid and protein, yogurt strengthens and moisturizes hair as it adds shine. It’s also great for controlling frizz. 

• Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is known for its soothing properties and is terrific for hydration. It helps calm the scalp and provides moisture without weighing down your hair. 

• Olive Oil

A rich source of vitamin E, olive oil strengthens and nourishes hair and provides excellent moisture. Furthermore, it can promote healthy shine and prevent split ends. 

DIY Curly Hair Mask and Storage

Curly hair products unless specified to be used on the scalp, should focus on the hair shaft, particularly mid shaft to ends. The same is true for curly hair masks, particularly if it has not been  scientifically formulated, only apply it to the length of the hair, avoiding the scalp to prevent unwanted yeast, product build up and scalp related irritation.

We recommend allowing your DIY mask to sit for 15-20 mins whilst covered with a shower cap or heat cap for added penetrative power. After this period, rinse with cool water to help seal the hair cuticle and enjoy the moisture boosting benefits, most especially if you have dry curls.

Curly hair DIY masks contain perishable food ingredients with no added preservatives, as such we do not recommend storage beyond the day of application, as this can lead to bacterial growth leaving room for scalp related issues and potential damage to your curls. With warmer climates in Dubai and the wider Middle East the risk of bacterial growth is heightened.

Conclusion

A DIY hair mask for curly hair textures targeting hydration is a great start, it can be a fun part of the journey towards rediscovering, loving and understanding your natural curls. Though, if your curls are need of intense repair and nourishment, explore our collection of best selling masks and deep conditioners tailored for healthy curls in the middle eastern heat here.

FAQs

1) How often should you use a curly hair mask?

Begin by applying it once a week after cleansing instead of using a regular conditioner. Thereafter, the frequency can be adjusted to fortnightly subject to your hairs needs and your lifestyle.

2) What are the benefits of a curly hair mask?

A homemade hair mask for curly hair can provide an intense nourishing treatment to help hydrate, strengthen, de-frizz, and restore damage. However, it’s important to note that without the correct ingredients and formulation method you may only enjoy short term, superficial benefits from a DIY.

We do not recommend a DIY mask in place of products that are specifically formulated for textured hair. 

3) Can a homemade hair mask for curly hair help hair growth?

Subject to the ingredients contain in the hair mask to support hair strength, length retention the second component of healthy hair growth is possible. Ingredients such as Rosemary, Fermented Rice Water Extract, Fenugreek, Hibiscus, Stinging Nettle and others are scientifically proven to strengthen and fortify the hair shaft. 

4) Why is using a hair mask important?

Regular use of hydrating curly hair masks can boost the hair texture by making it shiner, smoother, and more manageable. 

5) Can a homemade hair mask for curly hair be applied on the scalp?

We recommend you do not apply conditioners or masks to the scalp. It’s the hair shaft that needs conditioning not your scalp. Applying conditioners to the scalp can lead to itchiness and other scalp related conditioners