Whether you’re new to the curly community or have been in the tribe for quite some time, one thing we can all agree on is needing help from time to time when it comes to our tresses. It may even feel that though you’ve tried everything to keep your hair as healthy possible, it seems to feel like you’re still missing an important piece to the hair puzzle.

Since healthy hair is always a goal no matter what stage of the curly kingdom you’re in, here are 10 hacks that you may find handy to give your hair the boost it needs.

Wear a protective style.

Though protective styles like braid outs and twist outs are appreciated because of the low maintenance required and stylish outcome, it’s also a way to help you keep your hair healthy. Buns, which keep your ends tucked in and out of dodge, are also a form of protective styling. To help with your protective styles, try Aunt Jackie’s Curl Mane-Tenance Defining Curl Whip or the Curl La La Defining Curl Custard after sealing in your moisture with the Seal It Up Sealing Butter.

Sleep with a silk scarf or pillowcase.

If you’re one who doesn’t like to sleep with your hair wrapped at night, then ditching those cotton pillowcases should be the first thing on your agenda. Whether in the form of a pillowcase or a wrap for your hair, cotton steals the moisture from your tresses and can cause breakage. Trade in your cotton for a silk (or satin) pillowcase, bonnet or scarf.

Dry your hair with a t-shirt or designated hair towel.

Though common, drying your hair with a towel is not the best option for keeping your hair healthy. Since the texture of towels are coarse and very dry, placing that on your hair would not provide a good outcome. Negative effects from towel drying could include dry and frizzy hair, which will produce damage. Instead of using a towel, try using one of your t-shirts or purchasing a microfiber towel.

Use a good leave-in.

Finding the right leave-in conditioner for your hair can be a challenge, but the benefits are well worth the trouble. Providing an easier way to detangle your strand after wash day, tame your frizz, and even help you obtain those smooth and soft curls that you’ve been lusting over. Though you may be under the impression that any leave-in will work just fine, without finding the right one, you run the risk of weighing down your hair and ultimately, steering it away from its healthiest potential. Instead of wondering where to start, give the Aunt Jackie’s Quench! leave-in conditioner a try.

Never brush while your hair is dry.

Anyone with curly hair knows how difficult it can be to manage curly hair at times and brushing it makes the manageability 10 times worse. If you are going to take on the task though, you want to be sure that you aren’t brushing your hair while it’s dry. Brushing while dry can lead to split ends and breakage as well as cause the ultimate battle with frizz.

Comb from the bottom up.

After using Aunt Jackie’s Knot On My Watch Instant Detangling Therapy, it might feel as if detangling your hair just got a lot easier. That doesn’t mean, however, that you shouldn’t take the proper care when actually going through the detangling process. Whether using a wide tooth comb or your actual fingers, the correct way to detangle your hair is for you work your way up to your crown from your ends. Detangling any other way will cause breakage at your roots.

Be sure to pineapple your hair at night.

The term “pineapple” when it refers to hair simply means placing a loose ponytail – typically with a satin scrunchie – at the top of your head to preserve your curls and take away the potential to tangle your hair while sleeping. Doing this also removes the imprint that hair ties form as well as prevents breakage.

Try using the diffuser.

Whether it came with your blow dryer or you’ve been thinking about purchasing one separately, a diffuser can soon become a curly girl’s best friend. Though it may be a bit time consuming when using, diffusing – with your blow dryer on cool – can help add definition and volume to your luscious curls while also keeping it frizz-free.

Co-wash a little more.

For some people, washing their hair multiple times a week is a necessity. By doing that though, you run the risk of stripping the natural oils that your hair carries. Instead of over-cleansing your hair with shampoo each time you feel you need a wash, try inserting a co-wash into your routine. By using a good co-wash like Aunt Jackie’s Purify Me Moisturizing Co-Wash Cleanser, you’ll be able to wash your hair more frequently and keep it moisturized without stripping its natural oils.

Pack on the steam.

If you haven’t added hair steaming into your curly hair regimen yet, you have no idea what you’ve been missing. Not only does the process add moisture to your strands, it lifts the cuticle, helps reduce breakage, promotes hair growth, assists in cleansing your scalp, reduces shrinkage, and produces the refresh your glorious curls are in need of from time to time.