People with curly hair are often frustrated because they want to wear their hair down and show off their natural texture and volume. Caring for curls takes work, and a process.
Many people use the Curly Girl Method, which is good for people with wavy to curly hair. There’s no need to straighten your curly hair, you can accentuate your curls and make your hair look luxurious!
Note: this guide is for people with hair types 2a, 2b, 2c, 3a, 3b, and 3c.
Here are some steps to style your curly or wavy hair and make it look its best.
Use Less Shampoo in the Shower
Curly hair needs more natural oil to protect it and prevent cuticle damage. When you shower, use about half the shampoo you normally use – you may need to lather more to spread the shampoo around. Clean your scalp and roots and do not overwash the longer parts of your hair.
One part that is vital is allowing the water to saturate your hair and get down to the middle layers. Take your time to let the water get every part of your hair wet.
You’ll want to use a lot of conditioner and put your hair into a bun until you’re ready to rinse it out.
Style When Wet
One key is styling your hair while its still wet. Squeeze out the excess water and then apply styling gel. For curly hair, this seems to help with product absorption and reducing frizz.
Use your fingers and a wide-tooth comb to detangle your hair, working from the bottom up towards the roots.
Apply curl-enhancing gel or hair product, working the product through your hair with your fingers, keeping the curls in place. Do not comb or detangle your hair when it is dry, as this can lead to frizz.
Apply Product and Style Curls
This part is important, but apply your styling product to both hands and press your hands together flat with your hair in between, aka the “prayer hands” position. Run your hands along the length of your hair, which will keep the curl clusters together, and minimize frizz and “poofy” hair. We want to avoid the individual hair strands drying separately. All this happens when your hair is still wet.
Blot Your Hair Dry With a Microfiber Towel
This is sometimes called “microplopping”, but it is when you take a microfiber towel and gently blot your hair dry. You can also use a T-shirt in a pinch, if you need to. Be sure not to rub a towel across your hair to dry it. This makes it easier for wavy or curly hair to frizz. Give your hair time to air dry from there, so the curls form.
Use a Diffuser If You Don’t Have Time to Dry
If you’re pressed for time, and you must use a blow dryer, use a diffuser to lessen the heat. Curly hair is susceptible to damage from heat styling and blow drying. When the hair cuticle is damaged by heat, moisture flows in and out of the hair strand freely causing frizz due to humidity or dryness due to moisture escaping.
This is the basic process for styling curly hair, but there are other things you can do that will help you produce better curls.
Use Curl-Friendly Products
When you use shampoos and conditioner, look for product designed specifically for curly or wavy hair. Sulfate-free shampoo will not strip hair of vital nutrients. Deep moisturizing conditioners will help protect and nourish your hair, making it look radiant. Look for styling products that contain moisturizing ingredients that hydrate your hair.
Layer Hair Products Strategically
Most of the time, you’ll want one product for adding moisture and another product for curl hold. This can be a curl cream under a mousse, or leave-in conditioner under a gel. These are just a couple examples.
Deep Conditioning and Masking
By using a hair mask and deep conditioning, you can add moisture and brilliance back to your curls. Doing a deep conditioning routine every two weeks will help lock in moisture and keep your curls voluminous and reduce frizz.
Detangle Hair From Bottom Up
When you comb your hair out of the shower, go from the bottom up to avoid breakage of hair strands. Curly and way hair is more susceptible to breaking so use a wide tooth comb. The same goes for brushing hair, working bottom up towards the roots. Detangle small sections and remove knots while your hair is wet to retain natural curl patterns and protect hair from unnecessary damage.
Protect Your Hair at Night
Your hair can retain slight damage from friction with cotton pillowcases, which can loosen scale on the hair cuticle. This is true for all types of hair, but especially for people with curly hair. The best thing to do is invest in a satin or silk pillowcase, which reduces the friction with your hair drastically. For short hair, you can also use a silk bonnet to protect your hair.
For long hair, make a loose ponytail on the top of your head with a soft scrunchie, tied very loosely (this is sometimes called “pineappling”). This helps reduce frizz and when you let your hair down in the morning, your curls reappear, refreshed and bouncy.
Get Your Hair Trimmed Regularly
Split ends lead to cuticle damage up and down the hair strand, which creates frizzy hair. Schedule a hair trim at the salon on a regular basis.
Find a Hairstylist Who Specializes in Curly Hair
Believe it or not, there are specific techniques for cutting curly hair that allow the curl families to remain together during the haircut. This gives your hair a more layered shape. A hair stylist who is experienced in cutting curly hair makes all the difference. Look for a hair stylist in your city that specializes in cutting curly hair.
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If you’ve dreamed about being a professional hairstylist, you can become a California certified cosmetologist at our training program in Sacramento. Paul Mitchell the School at Campus Sacramento offers a 30-week training program that will teach you the skills you need to start your cosmetology career. Financial aid is available for students who qualify. For more information, contact our friendly Admissions team or give us a call at 888-675-2460.