Expert Tips from Curly Cuts Canberra
Spending time at the beach is one of the best parts of summer — but for curly hair, sand, salt and sun can cause serious dryness, tangling, matting and breakage if not cared for properly.
At Curly Cuts Canberra, we see this every summer. Clients often come in wondering why their curls suddenly feel dry, knotty or difficult to manage after a holiday at the beach. In most cases, this happens because the hair has been left exposed to salt and sand, which can roughen the hair shaft and strip away moisture. When this happens, the hair struggles to retain hydration and can feel dry or damaged. The good news is that with the right care, this kind of damage is largely preventable
Here’s exactly how to care for curly hair before and after the beach — the professional way.
BEFORE YOU GO TO THE BEACH
Prep your curls before heading into ocean or a pool.
Always wet the hair first. Pre-wetting helps fill the hair with clean water so it doesn’t absorb as much salt, keeping curls more protected and hydrated. Keep this in mind when swimming in pools as well.
Pre-wetting can helps reduce how much salt and minerals the hair absorbs, compared to dry hair.
- Apply a generous amount of oil or curl cream (think a heavy oil such as coconut oil, argan oil or a rich heavy curl cream work the best)
- This can help create a protective barrier that stops sand and salt from sticking to the hair
AFTER THE BEACH — THE CORRECT WAY
As soon as possible, rinse your hair thoroughly with fresh water to remove surface sand.
- Rinse first
🚫 Do not brush at this stage. Be very gentle at this point so you don’t create friction on the hair .
Brushing sandy hair can cause friction, breakage and frizz.
- Apply conditioner (still no detangling)
Apply a generous amount of a high-slip conditioner such as Clever Curl Rich Conditioner.
This can help the sand slide out of the hair instead of being dragged through it.
- Rinse thoroughly
Once the sand has loosened, rinse the conditioner out completely.
- Shampoo
Cleanse the hair using a deep-cleansing shampoo such as EverEscents Fresh Mint Shampoo to remove salt, oil and residue. Rinse and repeat.
- Deep Treatment & detangle
Apply a Deep Treatment, then gently detangle using a detangling brush like the one we use at Curly Cuts Canberra. Always start from the ends and work your way up.
👉 For more information on proper detangling, click here
Why This Method Works
Sand acts like tiny abrasives on the hair cuticle. When brushed through the hair, or roughed up with shampoo it can cause dryness, breakage and long-term damage. The deep cleanse gets rid of residue and the deep treatment restores moisture lost.
Common Mistake to Avoid
Using a detangling brush too early or shampooing with the sand in the hair is one of the biggest causes of damage we see in the salon.
Always remove as much sand as possible before brushing or shampooing.
The Takeaway
Rinse → Condition → Cleanse, shampoo, deep treatment
This simple order makes all the difference for healthy curls.
Need Personalised Advice?
If you’d like tailored guidance for your curl type from a certified and up to date curl specialist:
- Visit us at Curly Cuts Canberra
- Email questions to [email protected]
- Book a curly cut with a refresh.
- Or explore our free online curl education
You’re also welcome to pop into Curly Cuts Canberra on Saturdays between 10 am and 1 pm or after 2:30 pm on Fridays for quick free advice or product help. Please note that in-depth education is offered through appointments or our online programs, as it isn’t possible to cover technique and educate you in everything curly girl-related in a short chat.
We’re here to help you love your curls — at the beach and beyond.
