We caught up with Boucleme founder Michele to talk loving your curls and get her expert advice on how to keep them soft & bouncy with her bestselling haircare. We’re changing the rules of Valentine’s day this year, we decided to celebrate self-love over the romantic kind. So whether you are single or in a relationship treat yourself, carve out some dedicated “me-time” and give your curls some TLC with our top tips. Tip 1 Most foaming shampoos use harsh detergents. For some curly girls, even sulfate-free shampoos can strip and stress curls unnecessarily. The occasional shampoo, once a week, twice a month (it’s individual) can help remove buildup from heavy non-water-soluble products, oils or butters. Mild detergent based cleansers or a non-foaming “co-wash” can be more beneficial to your curls.For loose waves and oily scalps, opt for Boucleme’s Hydrating Hair Cleanser enriched with mongongo and sea buckthorn oil plus sea salt for volume and boosting blood circulation in the scalp, cleanse your hair deeply yet softly. Medium to tights curls with normal to dry scalps should opt for Boucleme’s Curl Cleanser whose creamy texture and moisturising honey, coconut oil and argan oil gently purify the scalp and curls leaving hair hydrated and shiny. Tip 2 Celebrate your curls with a deep conditioning ritual. According to curly hair specialist Raquel Fernandez (@beyondcurls) for gorgeous healthy curls, “you should deep condition at least once a week”. Deep conditioning is key to maintaining moisture and long-term hair health. Our versatile Intensive Moisture Treatment brings strength, elasticity and definition back to curls using key actives of mafura butter, oils of marula, camellia, sea buckthorn and prickly pear seed plus wheat bran extract. It can be used in many ways and is adaptable to all curl types : As a pre-shampoo treatment (best for fine, loose waves or curls): apply to soaking wet hair before washing, leave on for 15-20’ minutes under a plastic cap, rinse and wash and style hair as usual. As a deep treatment: apply to freshly washed wet hair, leave on for 20 mins under a plastic cap, rinse and follow with conditioner and/or stylers. Best for dry, damaged medium to tight curls. As a leave-in: apply to freshly washed wet hair. Finger detangle and follow with stylers for extra definition and soft bouncy curls. Best for dry and/or damaged medium to tight curls. Tip 3 Now for our power couple and invincible duo, Boucleme’s Curl Cream and Curl Defining Gel. These are the perfect stylers for shiny frizz free curls. The Curl Cream wraps hair in moisture. Formulated with highly nutritive ingredients such as shea butter, castor oil and humidity defying kukui nut oil that create curl formation like no other. Apply to soaking wet hair, rake it through hair using your fingers section by section. To keep your gorgeous curls in shape finish with Curl Defining Gel, apply it on top of your Curl Cream. Air dry or diffuse curls to 90% dry. Once completely dry, scrunch and reveal touchably soft hair. Rock your beautiful and unique curls proudly. Valentines is about unconditional love, so let’s start with unconditionally falling in love with ourselves. Shop here for Boucleme