Kristina is the founder of Lockenbox & Lockenexpertin. She has been intensively involved with the topic of curly hair care since her youth, when her straight hair suddenly turned into curls.
Afro hair care is not just about simply washing or styling your curls, because Afro hair needs special attention to shine in all its glory. The care for frizzy hair should be tailored to this special type of curl and its needs, both in the choice of curl products and in the hair care routine itself.
It may take a little effort to care for Afro curls perfectly, but it is an effort that is worth it: Because hardly any curly head is as impressive, voluminous and beautiful, hardly any hair garners as many admiring glances as Afro curls!
In this guide, we will show you what optimal Afro hair care can look like and what you need to consider when caring for frizzy hair.
But first we want to introduce different styling techniques.
Styling Afro Hair - The Most Popular Techniques
1. Braiding
“Braid” is the English word for “plaiting” and is the general term for all braided hairstyles. The braided strands are a very popular method of styling Afro hair and protecting it from damage at the same time.
The braids can be braided in different sizes and patterns to create very different looks. From elegant to extravagant, everything is possible.
There are different braiding techniques, the most well-known and popular being dreadlocks or cornrows . Braided hairstyles are often braided together with synthetic hair to create the desired hairstyle.
On the one hand, this allows you to create cool styles and on the other hand, the synthetic hair strands strengthen your own hair and ensure that the braids last longer.
2. Cornrows
Cornrows are an elegant classic that looks timelessly beautiful and is also popular because of its easy care.
The strands of hair are braided close to the head in straight or curved lines. Cornrows can be done with or without the addition of additional hair extensions.
3. Weave-ons
Weave-ons make it easy to create curly, wavy or, for a change, straight hair. Weave-ons simply go one step further than the cornrow hairstyle.
First, your own Afro hair is braided together with synthetic hair to form cornrows. Then real hair wefts are sewn to the cornrows with a thread.
Not only does this create a completely new look in no time, but it also gives your hair a break to recover in the protective style of cornrows.
Since weave-ons are primarily made of real hair, you should of course care for them just as well and carefully as your own hair.
Are you ready to take your hair to the next level ? Then take our exciting curl quiz now! We are excited to get to know you and understand your unique hair needs and goals.
With just a few questions, we can put together your perfect curl routine . Whether your hair is slightly wavy, curly or very curly - our curl quiz will find the right products for every hair type.
What are you waiting for? Immerse yourself in the world of the perfect curly look and take part in the quiz now!

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4. Rastas
This evergreen in the field of Afro hair hairstyles has been a popular trend since the 90s and has lost none of its popularity to this day.
There are also different braiding techniques for dreadlocks. Box braids, Casama braids, micro braids, open braids – they all describe different methods of braiding hair into dreadlock braids.
To lengthen short hair or to strengthen your own hair, you can easily braid additional extensions into your real hair.
5. Twisting
Twists are similar to braids, but instead of braiding the hair, the Afro hair twist method involves twisting the strands of hair together.
There are different types of twists: two-strand twists and flat twists. In both techniques, the hair is divided into sections and then twisted to create texture and definition.
Synthetic hair is often used to enhance your own hair, and the names of the resulting twists vary depending on the extensions used.
For example, Senegalese Twists are created with Kanekalon synthetic hair and the extensions for Marley Twists are very similar to natural Afro hair.
There are also other types of twists, such as Havana Twists, Mini Twists and Micro Twists, which differ in the thickness and size of the twisted strands.
Havana Twists are thicker and are usually created with jumbo extensions, while Mini Twists and Micro Twists are much smaller and are usually braided using just your own hair.
6. Twist-Outs
A twist-out is nothing more than a twist hairstyle – but after a few hours or after a night with the twisted hair, this method has another trick up its sleeve:
The hair is rolled up again and the twists are removed from the hairstyle. The hair now retains a larger and more defined curl structure for some time, as the shape of the twists remains in the hair.
Expert tip: The whole thing can be strengthened with the help of styling products that provide hold. A twist-out is the end result of a twisting, so to speak.
7. Bantu Knots
Bantu Knots are an African hairstyle with a long tradition. The hair is twisted into small knots section by section and secured. The size of the hair sections determines the look of this small bun.
Bantu knots are very well suited to protecting sensitive Afro hair from environmental influences. Changing temperatures in particular have relatively little effect on your Bantu-style hair. On top of that, Bantu knots are easy to handle and have a particularly fascinating appearance.
How to prepare your Afro hair for washing
The care routine for Afro hair should begin before the actual washing. This extra step before shampooing helps to care for frizzy curls and provide them with plenty of moisture. It also makes the often laborious task of untangling the curls easier. This step before washing the hair is called pre-poo .
For Afro hair we present you two options :
1. Leave in for Afro curls
For example, you can treat your Afro curls with a nourishing leave-in conditioner before washing. This can be easily sprayed onto your hair using a spray bottle .
If the consistency of the leave-in requires it, dilute the product with water in the Rainbow Curls curl spray bottle .

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2. Pre Poo with Hot Oil Treatment
But a hot oil treatment as a pre-poo application is also a great combing aid and makes your Afro curls happy.
- To do this, massage the oil into the hair and scalp, strand by strand. You can carefully loosen any knots using your fingers or a coarse comb.
- You can then cover your hair with a shower cap or towel and leave the product on for about 30 minutes.
The hair oil closes the cuticle and makes the hair supple, making detangling much easier.
If you are still looking for a good hair oil for curls for a pre-poo treatment , then take a look at the fantastic hair oil range from Lockenbox.
What is the best way to wash my Afro hair?
Washing Afro hair is no different from washing other types of curls. To prevent drying out, you should generally not wash curls too often. Once a week is a good guideline for naturally dry curls.
If frequent hair washing is easy for you
- part of feeling good
- or you have an active lifestyle where you do a lot of sports
- or sweats frequently,
then it is a good idea to use the co-wash method from time to time:
- To do this, you don't wash your hair with a shampoo, but only use a purely plant-based conditioner or a special co-washing product . This only contains a small amount of detergent substances and is super gentle on your precious curly hair.
- Co-Wash is not applied to the lengths and ends of the hair like normal conditioner, but is massaged into the roots for a mild co-wash cleansing.
Using this special “in-between wash” may be a little strange at first, as co-wash products hardly foam or don’t foam at all. But you will quickly notice that your curls benefit from the moisture treatment and that they get a healthy shine.
Enjoy reading your post " No Poo vs. Co-Wash - what is it and which method wins? " Here you can find out everything about the two methods and decide for yourself what your curly-haired heart beats for.
The right shampoo for Afro curls
For regular hair washing once a week, you should use a mild shampoo for curly hair . Make sure that it is sulfate-free. You can be on the safe side if the shampoo is suitable for the Curly Girl method , because these products are always sulfate-free.
Unfortunately, sulfates have a strong cleansing and degreasing effect that has a negative effect on wavy and curly hair. This would only dry out your already dry hair even more and make it more brittle.
- To wash your hair, gently massage the shampoo into your scalp.
- Avoid the lengths of your hair, as the shampoo water that runs down is enough to clean the entire length of your hair right down to the tips.
By the way, all curl shampoos in the Lockenbox Shop are CGM-approved.

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Drying Afro Hair: What You Need to Pay Attention To
Afro hair likes gentle and careful treatment , even when it comes to drying hair. The heat that a hairdryer generates can dry out hair and make it brittle. In the worst case, Afro hair, which is already prone to dryness in its structure, can lead to split ends and hair breakage. If possible , it is a good idea to leave the hairdryer in the cupboard and let the hair air dry .
Sometimes you have no choice and you have to hurry. In this case, you have to use a hairdryer . It is best to use it on a lukewarm setting and use a diffuser attachment . This distributes the air flow evenly and the blow-dryer air hits your curly hair as gently as possible.
An additional leave-in with heat protection is also a good idea. How about this care miracle called Miracle Shield Spray from CURLSMITH ?
Caring for Afro hair after washing
Caring for Afro hair should be focused on getting as much moisture into the hair as possible. However, if you only use hair oil, your curls may become too heavy and fall out. Dirt is also magically attracted to a very oily finish.
A leave-in or curl cream works better.
- To distribute it more easily in your hair, you can also use the practical spray bottle .
- Leave-ins nourish and moisturize the hair, making the curls soft and smooth.
With the help of a curl gel you can seal in the moisture and care ingredients and give the hair hold at the same time.
- If the product has formed a gel cast,
- You can use a few drops of hair oil to knead out the hair gel after the drying time.
- This gives a shiny finish.

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High-quality vegetable oils are suitable, such as
- coconut oil,
- argan oil
- or jojoba oil.
Shea butter is also a popular moisturizer for curly and frizzy hair and can also be found in many curly care products.
Your Afro Curls will also benefit from deep conditioners and hair treatments at regular intervals - for example once a week. Treatments that create a natural, washable protective cover around the hair are ideal, i.e. care products without silicones.
These synthetic materials create an artificial film around the hair, which causes the hair to become trapped in it and, in the long term, no longer receive nutrients and moisture.
Which products are good for Afro hair?
What is good for Afro hair depends not only on how thick or frizzy the curls are, but also on how brittle they are. In general, Afro hair is particularly prone to dryness and is also prone to frizz.
Afro curl products should therefore ideally be designed to combat these problems . The ideal shampoo for Afro hair is therefore a hair washing product that is as mild as possible and definitely sulfate-free.
For care, you can choose Afro hair products according to the LOC method – this guide is specifically tailored to the care of Afro hair or curly hair of curl type 4 .
After washing your hair, three different types of products are applied one after the other:
- Liquid/Leave-in: A product that gives your hair a lot of moisture, for example through aloe vera. A water-based leave-in product is ideal here.
- Oil: A product with an oily consistency to bind moisture and lock it in the hair.
- Cream: Use a curl cream, hair butter or an oil-based leave-in. These nourish the hair intensively and give the curls additional structure and definition.
Are you ready to take your hair to the next level ? Then take our exciting curl quiz now! We are excited to get to know you and understand your unique hair needs and goals.
With just a few questions, we can put together your perfect curl routine . Whether your hair is slightly wavy, curly or very curly - our curl quiz will find the right products for every hair type.
What are you waiting for? Immerse yourself in the world of the perfect curly look and take part in the quiz now!

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Quiz: für alle Wellen und Lockentypen geeignet
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dauert nur 5 Minuten
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Passende Produkte, auf Dich abgestimmt
Caring for Afro hair with tried and tested home remedies
Caring for Afro curls using tried and tested home remedies is a natural and simple way to nourish and strengthen your curly hair in a healthy way.
olive oil
Olive oil is rich in vitamin E and unsaturated fatty acids, which provide your curls with plenty of nutrients. The oil forms a protective film around the hair and seals the moisture deep inside.
apple cider vinegar
For optimal care of Afro hair, an acidic rinse with apple cider vinegar is ideal.
- To do this, mix one part apple cider vinegar with three to four parts cold water.
- Use it as the last step in your hair washing routine. The acidic liquid can balance the pH of the scalp, remove build-up and relieve itching and dandruff.
- The mixture also gives the hair shine and makes it easier to comb.
Shea Butter
Shea butter is rich in vitamins, minerals and trace elements that provide your curls with everything they need. The vegetable butter is easily absorbed into the hair and provides intensive moisture without weighing it down excessively. An ideal natural product for curly hair.
A real challenge: caring for Afro hair in children
Caring for Afro hair is often not fun for children and can be a particular challenge. To avoid pulling and frustration, as well as hair damage, babies and children with very curly and frizzy hair should always be spared from combing when it is dry .
With damp hair, playful distraction and a little patience, the hair can be gently detangled using your fingers or a good curling brush - such as the Denman Brush.
Children's curl products with natural ingredients that provide plenty of moisture and nutrients are also the first choice when it comes to caring for sensitive children's hair.
Of course you can also find suitable curling brushes and many other useful care tools in our shop: High-quality curling accessories .
Conclusion
Afro hair is certainly more care-intensive than straight hair. But with the help of high-quality curl products and a coordinated care routine, you have everything you need to get the best out of your frizzy locks. Well cared for, your curly hair has the ability to bring you spectacular hairstyle moments and many admiring glances.
Try to see caring for your unique hair as precious time for yourself and treat yourself to something good. If you use the time to relax, then hair care will suddenly not be so stressful and your locks will radiate with health!
Frequently asked questions about care
At the end, we would like to give you a quick overview of some answers to the most frequently asked questions about Afro hair.
How often do you actually wash Afro hair?
For the health of your curls, we recommend washing your hair with shampoo about once a week . Use a high-quality shampoo - ideally it is suitable for the Curly Girl method.
If you feel like washing your hair more often , try the co-wash method using a special co-wash conditioner.
How to soften Afro hair?
Moisture is the top priority for Afro hair. After regular care, use
- conditioner,
- Deep Conditioner
- or leave-in
Add a few drops of hair oil or styling cream . This defines the curls, makes them soft and minimizes frizz. Refresh your afro daily with an oil-water or oil-leave-in mixture in a spray bottle or use a moisturizing curl refresh spray.
To save you the agony of choice, take a look at our curl box. Month after month, we put together great products for your curly hair.

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How often should I comb my Afro hair?
Afro hair and combing are usually not friends, but a real challenge. Therefore, detangle your hair while washing it with a conditioner , as this gives the hair a very good slip and makes it easier to untangle the curls.
- You can detangle your hair with your fingers, but you can also use a wide-toothed comb.
- Carefully work your way from the ends of your hair to the roots.
It is important that you take your time and be gentle with your hair. When it is dry, you should avoid brushing sensitive curly hair to protect it.