Curly hair thrives on moisture, this is a foundational truth but it also requires the right balance. What do we mean? In the Middle East, too much in the humidity, can cause cuticles to swell, leading to frizz. Too little, instant dryness leading to breakage.

Mastering curly hair care in the Middle East is an art and a science defined by heat, humidity and hard water challenges. Layer in dry air from air conditioning, climate shifts, and dust. It can feel like an ongoing hair experiment, but once it's understood you'll unlock the secret to a curly hair routine that protects against dryness, frizz and buildup. 

At Emerson, we believe your curls are your unique beauty feature and they deserve more than trial and error. This is why we’ve designed this expert guide - whether you’re located in Dubai, Doha, Riyadh and beyond.

In this guide you'll discover how to:

• Build a curly hair routine that protects against heat, humidity and hard water.
• Adjust your regimen to the season - summer survival to autumn renewal 
• Avoid common mistakes that lead to dry, frizzy curls
• Incorporate sulfate free products in your regimen
  
• Identify your porosity and choose the best curly hair products 

Climate Factors That Shape Curly Hair in the Middle East

To build a good curly hair routine, you must firstly understand the environmental conditions your curls are up against in the Middle East. The reality is there is no perfect condition for curls in any region and hence the need for the best curly hair products and tools to support overall hair health which includes products that add moisture, strength and aids good hair elasticity. 

Once you understand these factors, you'll unlock the first key to thriving curls in Dubai and beyond.

The climate factors to consider include:

• Extreme heat: Desert heat is more than just a phrase, it's a daily reality that accelerates moisture loss which can lead to dry, brittle curls.
• High humidity: Leaves the hair cuticle swollen due to excessive moisture in the air that textured hair naturally craves. The by product of this? Frizz and lack of curl definition.
• Hard water: This is linked to one of the biggest challenges women highlight when moving to Dubai or the wider GCC - hair loss. This often arises due to the impact of hard water minerals that coat the hair shaft and limit hydration and moisture absorption in the hair shaft. Learn more about choosing the right clarifying shampoo to tackle hard water on curly hair here
• Air conditioning: Strips curly hair of moisture and dries the scalp of its natural oils, leaving them dry and brittle. Unfortunately, this is a challenge all year round.
• Dust: Can contribute to scalp stress and inflammation which could ultimately clog the hair follicles if the correct cleansing methods are not applied.

Unfortunately, there is no magical fix to protect your curls from all these factors. However there are some essential products that your routine should incorporate. It is important to highlight this early on, your curl care ritual shouldn't be static, there will be a need to evolve and adapt your routine as the seasons change and different climate factors come into play.

Take the extreme heat and humidity we experience in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and the wider GCC in the summer, frizz is the ultimate challenge and so building a humidity proof curly hair routine is essential in the summer. This is exactly why we curated our Limited Edition Summer Curl Edit, a step by step layering system that delivers long lasting defined and frizz free curls.

Now we've outlined the challenges that the Middle Eastern climate poses for curly hair textures, the next step is building a hair regimen that defends and protects against these factors. A truly effective routine goes beyond just products, curl care should be centered on four key pillars - Cleansing, Conditioning, Styling and Protection.

Building A Curly Hair Regimen For The Middle East Climate - That Works!

When it comes to building a routine that works, do not leave hair porosity out of the equation. You may or may not have heard of concepts such as low porosity hair or high porosity hair, this isn’t just curly hair jargon, this applies to all hair types, though greater importance is placed on it particularly for curly textures. Why?

Once you understand your hair porosity and environment, you can tailor an effective routine which will keep your curls thriving regardless of external factors. If you're unsure of your porosity or want to understand why it has more significance than your curl type or pattern, we have created a separate guide covering this in depth - Porosity Over Pattern: The Curl Factor That Actually Matters.

An effective curly hair routine should be built around these 4 core pillars:

• Cleansing 
• Conditioning
• Styling 
• Protection

Best Shampoo for Curly Hair in the Middle East: What To Look For

With the rise of curly hair influencers in this social media age, it's easy to get carried away with the belief that the most important part of curly haircare is your styling routine. This is a myth. Cleansing remains the starting point and the foundation of healthy curls including the styling results that come with it. Cleansing correctly is more so important in the Middle East, due to build up that comes with hard water in the region, sun exposure and heat. It's important to have a range of cleansers in your product stash to target these challenges.

As the popular saying by Dr Myles Monroe goes where purpose is unknown, abuse is inevitable.

Different cleansers serve different purposes, let’s break it down:

• Clarifying shampoos for curly hair removes deep build up from products, dust and environmental aggressors.
• Chelating shampoos go one step further, think of it as a clarifying shampoo for hard water, it strips the hair of all hard water effects including chlorinated water.
• Moisturising shampoos for curly hair, serve as your regular shampoo that balances hydration and gentle build up removal.
• Co wash (conditioning washing) adds back softness to dry curls and lightly cleanses whilst imparting moisture and conditioning benefits.

Living in the Middle East, it’s absolutely crucial that you have at least two types of sulfate free shampoos on rotation as part of your hair regimen. 

1. A moisturising shampoo - this should act as your primary gentle cleanser.
2. A clarifying shampoo or chelating shampoo - if you already have a water filter, a clarifying shampoo for curly hair is required over a chelating shampoo for non swimmers. If you’re an avid swimmer a chelating shampoo such as  Kinky Curly Come Clean is a must.

The second aspect of choosing a cleanser for your curls is based around your hair porosity.

Low porosity hair is naturally more prone to build up due to the tightly bound hair cuticle, as such an effective low porosity curly hair routine should incorporate a clarifying shampoo at least once every 2-3 weeks.

When compared with high porosity hair which drinks moisture rapidly but loses it just as fast, a moisturising shampoo or a co wash would be required more frequently and a clarifying shampoo once every 4 weeks.

We've curated a range of the best curly hair shampoos that are naturally derived and sulfate free that deliver a thorough cleanse whilst balancing your hair's natural oils and moisture - Explore our range of shampoos and cleansers

Conditioning Curly Hair for Maximum Benefits: What Type and When?

Conditioning is key for restoring lost moisture, strengthen the hair and nourish the depth of the hair strands - the cortex, this part of your curl routine is what will enable you to avoid dry, brittle curls. The term conditioner has many subtypes, similar to shampoo, the goal is to incorporate the most suitable type for your hair's needs. Conditioners range from instant, deep, moisturising, protein to leave in conditioners. 

After cleansing, a conditioner is required to increase the level of moisture your hair needs and retains, increase softness and manageability for styling.

Type of conditioners for curly hair include:

Instant Conditioner - This is your regular conditioner which provides instant conditioning benefits in terms of how it looks and feels. Typical usage guidance will state "let it sit for 3-5 minutes". This is perfect for those that have wash day routine at least twice a week and if you're short on time or need a follow up conditioner after an intensive protein rich treatment.

Leave in Conditioner - The best leave in conditioners contain humectants, emollients and emulsifiers for easy application, spreadability and moisture penetration. This is your base for final detangling and primer for styling.

Deep Conditioner or Hair Mask  - A more intensive conditioning treatment formulated to penetrate the core of the hair shaft and deliver longer lasting nourishment, as such requires a minimum of 15 minutes for full absorption but more depending on the level of damage or the degree of hair porosity.

Reconstructive Conditioner - As the name implies, this is for curls that require a deep level of conditioning with a treatment designed to rebuild and repair damage, this is particularly useful for high porosity hair, coloured curls, damaged curls or even transitioning curls.

How and When To Deep Condition Curly Hair

In warmer climates like Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Riyadh and where heavy air conditioning is present, moisture can escape rapidly, so this step is non-negotiable if your curls are to stay hydrated and moisturised for longer. We recommend a weekly deep moisturising conditioning treatment after cleansing, for no more than 30-40 mins if heat is applied. If heat is applied, be sure to allow your curls to cool for 5-10 mins before rinsing with cool water.

Think of a conditioning treatment as a super smoothie for your curls.

For Low Porosity Hair

3 out of 4 times this should be a moisturising deep conditioner or hair mask. The length of time for maximum conditioning benefits could be up to an hour, if heat is not applied.

For Medium to High Porosity Hair

Deep conditioning treatments should target a moisture-protein balanced treatment to enable filling of the gaps in the hair structure to minimise porosity and moisture loss, in addition to rebuilding what the hair was naturally designed to have - protein which preserves the hairs integrity.

This is not to say, low porosity curly hair doesn't need protein, it certainly does - however a lower dosage as the hair is less porous.

Leave in Conditioners for Curly Hair: Best Choices 

Following a deep conditioning treatment, your next layer of conditioning is an essential and not a luxury, if you want great styling results that last and don't result in dry, frizzy curls. Let's explain:

In a climate where curly hair demands more, more hydration, more sealing, it will actively seek out ways to get it, particularly in heightened humidity experienced in Dubai, Kuwait City and Riyadh. If you don't provide your curls with the hydrating base they require through application of the best leave in conditioner, they will extract moisture vapour from the air, which will cause the hair cuticle to swell and frizz begin to surface, unravelling any styling efforts before Day 2.

Leave in conditioners not only add to the moisture your hair retains until your next wash day but assists with laying your foundation for your styling efforts by reducing surface level frizz and smoothing the hair cuticle, to give your curls the perfect primed slate for beautiful curl clumps that lead to perfect curl definition.

How to apply a leave in conditioner:

• Immediately, following the rinse out of your deep conditioner, whilst your hair is still wet. You may wonder why wet hair is often recommended, wet hair is much easier to manipulate and prime.
• Smooth along the length of the hair from root to tip (avoiding the scalp).
• Follow up by distributing the product through with a wide tooth comb or detangling brush for curly hair such as Tangle Teezer.

Best Leave In Conditioners for Curly Hair in the Middle East

Let's look at this through the lens of your curl porosity, for long lasting hydration that actually absorbs.

For Low Porosity Hair: lightweight leave in conditioners which contain a water and a humectant base are best. These formulas support better moisture absorption in cuticles which lay flat and are tightly packed - a key characteristic of low porosity curls.

Our expert recommendations:

• Kinky Curly Knot Today Leave In & Detangler - A herbal based lightweight hydrator packed with humectants such as marshmallow root and slippery elm which offers maximum slip for easy absorption and spreadability. This remains our best seller and a cult classic for this reason.
• Innersense Sweet Spirit Leave In Conditioner - Another lightweight and fast absorbing leave in spray form that combines humectants with cuticle smoothing ingredients to minimise frizz whilst hydrating.
• Mielle Pomegranate & Honey Leave In Conditioner - A water based, humectant rich, high slip leave in conditioner, that glides on the hair shaft with ease and smells delightful. Known to enhance moisture retention without heaviness.

For high porosity hair, emollient based leave in conditioners paired with protein rich formulas are recommended to rebuild the hair's structure - your basis for strong curls and slow moisture loss.

Our expert recommendations:

• Camille Rose Curl Love Moisture Milk - A popular leave in, known for its silky, rich creamy texture which deeply penetrates dry, thirsty curls. It contains a nourishing blend of rice milk, macadamia oil, rosehip oil and slippery elm to smooth the cuticle for long lasting hydration.
• Jessicurl Too Shea Extra Moisturising Conditioner - a rich and cream conditioner which doubles as an instant and leave in conditioner for high porosity curls. Packed with Shea butter, jojoba and avocado oil to deliver deep moisture, tame frizz and leave curls more manageable and soft. 
• Curls Blueberry Bliss Reparative Leave In Conditioner  - A powerhouse leave in for repairing high porosity, damaged or weak curls. It offers protein reinforcements through its protein rich formula containing hydrolyzed quinoa and silk amino acids, making it a must have for curly hair during periods of high humidity.

Stylers in the Middle East: From Curl Creams to Curl Defining Gels

Stylers are the cherry on the top of your curly hair routine. On freshly washed and conditioned hair, your stylers are set to sculpt your natural curl pattern, deliver hold, volume or shine. Your styling results are a function of the right foundation from cleansing and conditioning and the right curly hair styling product to achieve your desired results. We'll explore the stylers best suited to achieving your styling goals.

Curl Creams - Where Hydration Meets Definition

Curl Creams are a fantastic styling option for added nourishment and soft, touchable definition. However, not all curl creams perform well in heat and humidity, some leave curls lifeless and greasy due to unbalanced formulas, while others provide the right balance that allow curls to easy absorb into the hair shaft without the weight and residue.

When choosing the best curl cream in UAE and wider Middle East, focus on rich formulas, balanced for both protein and moisture. The right curl cream should be lightweight enough for curls to remain hydrated, defined and frizz free without weighing them down.

What to Look For in a Curl Cream:

• Moisture-Protein Balance - hydration and strength to prevent lifeless curls
• Lightweight Texture - minimise build up in high humidity
• Frizz Control - smooth and seal the cuticle to avoid moisture loss or cuticle swelling
• Layering Ability - Can be paired with a strong hold gel, mousse or serum with no curdling or flaking.

Our top recommendation: TreLuxe Curl Supreme 4 in 1 Hydrating Creme.

This curl cream is one we continually endorse as perfect for this region, with a thick silky cream texture, that delivers a nourishing dose of strength and softness for hydrated, defined and bouncy curls. A product that works across all porosities.

Curl Defining Gels - The Frizz Shield

Think of curl creams as the added layer of moisture that defines, curl gels are the shield that lock it all in, it sculpts and sets. The right styling gel for curly hair will envelope your curls with a light film to seal your curl definition, that film should serve as your barrier against heat which weakens hold, often leading to humidity induced frizz. This step could make or break your styling efforts, it can be the difference between curls that last until Day 4 or 5 or curl definition that unravels by Day 2.

To maintain the optimal moisture levels obtained from the previous steps, it's important to stay away from gels that contain high alcohol content, as this will simply dry out your curls and begin the cycle of dry, brittle and frizzy curls. 

Curl defining gels offer various levels of hold from soft, flexible, medium to strong hold but not all gels offer both maximum definition and hold to withstand 80% humidity and above. This is where smart layering comes in, choose a styler which offers maximum definition through use of film formers to sculpt your curls and a small dose of a concentrated strong hold finishing gel to carry curls past Day 3-4.

Our expert recommendations: 

• Uncle Funky's Curl Magic - A medium hold styling gel that stimulates your curls into formation. Packed with aloe vera, marshmallow root and hydrolyzed soy protein. This formula reinforces curls that are exposed by forming a light film to block humidity. 

Pro Tip: For added frizz control in extreme humidity, layer a pea sized amount per section of Innersense I Create Hold to lock in definition.

• Treluxe Hi! Defining Curl Enhancer Styling Gel - An excellent firm hold gel that delivers definition that lasts without flaking. Key ingredients include Aloe, Seaweed extract, Xanthan Gum, Keratin Amino Acids and Honey. All in a concentrated formula to strengthen your curls while providing lightweight film forming to keep curls frizz free.

Why it works in the Middle East: It's a strong enough standalone styler for heat and average humidity, for further humidity protection, layer this over The Doux Mousse Def for beautiful volume and added frizz control.

• Kinky-Curly Curling Custard - A cult favourite by curlies worldwide for a reason. This curling custard offers stunning slip, definition and shine resulting in stunning curl clumps. If you prefer a flexible cast, this is a perfect styling gel choice, all year round.

Curl Protection: Best Practices and Expert Tips

The most effective way to protect your curls whilst your home during the day or overnight is by choosing the right pillowcase or bonnet. The worst thing you could do after great wash day results is sleep on a cotton pillowcase hoping your curls will still look great the following morning.

Fabrics like cotton will unravel your results by extracting moisture and creating friction on the hair cuticle, leading to frizz and breakage. Silk or Satin fabrics are the solution here. 

Satin Vs. Silk: Which is Better For Curly Textures?

If budget is a constraint start with satin, though silk offers far more benefits.

Satin bonnets and pillowcases are far more gentle than cotton on curly hair, however satin isn't a breathable fabric, as such build up and mold can quickly arise, which is often not detectable by the human eye. Satin also doesn't actively support the hair's protein structure.

Silk pillowcases and silk bonnets, especially those made with Mulberry silk are far superior, in that they provide integral support to preserve the hair shaft and are breathable. 

Silk is made up of a complex of amino acids such as glycine and serine, these amino acids are complementary to the keratin naturally present in the hair's structure, enabling silk to act as protein reinforcer and strengthen the hair shaft to reduce breakage and support moisture retention.

Claims that Mulberry silk should be the standard for accessories are beyond a marketing gimmick. This grade of silk is produced by silkworms that feed of mulberry leaves which leads to long, uniform and the smoothest of silk fibers, which takes the cuticle smoothing and preservation properties of silk a step further.

The key takeaway here is that with the climate factors at play in the Middle East, curl protection is essential and of equal importance as the quality of curly hair products. It's not one or the other, they work hand in hand to achieve healthy, thriving curls.