Five Tips for Perfect Curly Hair

Ask every woman with straight hair and she’ll tell you she’d wish she could have those beach waves or nice curls that don’t fall flat one hour after she’s left the hair salon. And now ask every woman with naturally curly hair and she’ll tell you what a nightmare it is to style, care, and keep it in a great, flowy condition.

Luckily, there are some curly hair tips you can follow to protect your hair from damage and create beautiful curly hairstyles—even at home.

But, first, you need to determine what kind of curly hair you have.

The different types of curly hair

Not all curly hair is made equal. Knowing your curly hair type is important because it’ll help you choose the best curly hair products and techniques. (Spoiler alert: We’ve got you covered below with a wide range of curly hair tips, no matter your type!)

Each hair type has also sub-categories. To understand where you fall into and choose the best products, you need to think about not just the shape of your hair but also the levels of dryness (or, how hard or easy it is to dry it after taking  a bath), elasticity (if you stretch a curl out, does it bounce back?), and variety (it’s likely that your curls are not consistent.)

1. Wavy hair: There are soft wavy, wavy (or beach wavy), and deep wavy hair. This type of hair is usually straight, or almost straight, when it’s wet. It’s best to use anti-frizzing products and a cream or mousse that adds volume.
2. Curly hair: This type of curly hair has well-defined swirls or spirals. Again, depending on the shape and texture, you may have loose, tight, or ultra curly hair. What your hair mostly needs, in this case, is moisture and protection from damage and split ends.
3. Coily hair: Coiled, zigzag, or tightly coiled hair. If you fall into this type, you need to give your hair elasticity and hydrate it very well. A leave-in conditioner will also help maintain healthy curls.

Common curly hair challenges

Depending on your hair type, but also the texture or even your habits, it’s likely that you face some of these challenges with your curly or wavy hair:

• Frizziness
• Too much or too little volume
• Split ends
• Breakage
• Greasiness
• Dryness
• Doesn’t grow easily
• Hair knots

Those curly hair problems create new issues: How do you style your hair? Which products are good for your hair, and which ones you should avoid?

Here, we’ve gathered all the curly hair tips you need to know so you don’t limit yourself and, instead, enjoy your natural curls or waves.

Tips and tricks for curly hair

Whether you have short or long curly hair, whether you have naturally curly hair or looking to create the perfect beach wavy hairstyle, these ideas will help you take a good care of your hair:

1. Start with the right shampoo

It sounds basic but it’s one of the most essential care tips for curly hair. Pick a shampoo that’ll moisturise your hair. Hydrating shampoos will leave your hair lighter after your shower. It’ll also be easier to style it the way you want afterwards.

Here are our top 3 curl defining products:

2. Watch out the frizz

Humidity, brushing, or even the texture itself often makes curly hair frizz. The good news is you can tame it. There’s a great variety in anti-frizzing curly hair products, like conditioners, masks, and creams. Try them out and see what works for you.

For example, the Kerastase Curl Manifesto Fondant, enriched with manuka honey and ceramides, will leave your hair extra soft. Or, you can go for a product like the Oribe Curl Control Silkening Creme that’s great for curl defining.

3. Style right

You might be browsing pictures of celebrities that rock those perfect curls. Or, you might be wondering how your hairdresser created that naturally-looking wavy hairstyle last time you visited the beauty salon. While technique matters, and the experience and talent that professional hairstylists have are irreplaceable, you can still make your curls work. As long as you get a little help from the best curl enhancing products.

A hair serum will make your hair as shiny (and healthy!) as it gets. And, depending on the tools you’re using to style your hair, it might be helpful to add heat-protectant products to your beauty bag. Keep an eye out for a leave-in lotion or mousse. Those curly hair products will protect your hair from heat, UV, and humidity for longer, and enhance your natural curls.

For example, the following products could be a great leave-in treatment for your curly or wavy hair:

4. Stick to a routine

While curl defining products promise to make your hair look perfect, they can’t do miracles if used only once in a while. But, you don’t have to spend hours styling your curly hair, either. It’s all about finding the right balance. And the right products.

As we mentioned earlier, curly hair has different types—and different needs. For example, if your hair is dyed, you should use a colour-protectant conditioner. Or, if you have short curly hair, you might need to try a gel. Likewise, thin wavy hair requires a different treatment than thick curly hair.

Don’t get overwhelmed, though, by the amount of choices. Think about your unique needs, test a few products, and see what works and what doesn’t. A good idea would be to start with a brand and try out their series for curly hair. For example, pick their shampoo, conditioner, and a leave-in mask or serum, and watch how your hair feels after a couple of weeks.

 

5. Sleep tight

Do your sleep habits impact your curls? They sure do! You might have noticed that, when you wake up, your hair is tangled or more stretched out than usual.

Now, imagine having done all this work during the day to protect your curly hair—using anti-frizzing and curl enhancing products—only to “damage” it at night. There are, luckily, some simple tips for curly hair that’ll help you take care of your hair and scalp, even while you’re sleeping.

• Try to sleep on your side: As opposed to sleeping on your back, this position will save you from hair knots.
• Opt for silk pillowcases: Reduce frizziness and dryness with a silk pillowcase. Your skin will also stay smoother, so it’s a win-win.
• Put your hair up: If you have long curly hair, make a ponytail or top knot and use a silk scrunchie. This way, your hair won’t be tangled in the morning. For short curly hair, a silk bonnet is a nice alternative.
• Don’t forget about your leave-in treatment: Remember those hair serums, oils, and masks that you don’t have to rinse? You’ll see better results if you leave them all night. Look for products that contain argan oil, jojoba oil, or honey. They’ll make your curly hair smooth and shiny.

Enjoy your curls

With the right products and the right routine in place, you’re ready to create your perfect curly hairstyles—at home. Just remember to moisturize your hair as often as possible, avoid habits that break your hair or get it tangled, and listen to your unique needs.

Then, it’ll be easy to find the best curly and wavy hair products that will make your hair healthy, smooth, and shiny.