Let’s talk about something we all know can be a little bit of a struggle: styling naturally curly hair. Like, I totally get it—curly hair can do its own thing, look wild, and refuse to cooperate. Trust me, I’ve been there! Even as a makeup artist, I’ve had my share of “hair don’t care” days. But the magic of curly hair? It can look just as stunning when you know how to work with it instead of fighting it (because we all know how fighting curly hair goes… it usually wins, lol).
Okay, so if you’ve got naturally curly hair OR if you’ve even dreamt of having one of those big bouncing curls like Zendaya or Lorde, this guide’s for you. I got you, sis 💅.
Start by Understanding Your Curl Type (Game-Changer!)
First thing’s first: not all curls are created the same. Just like no two TikTok videos are ever alike, no two curly heads are the same. Obviously, right? So before jumping in with any products, you really, really gotta know your curl type. There’s a whole system for identifying curls, divided like this:
| Curl Type | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Type 2 | Wavy, but not super defined. Think like beachy waves. Not ringlets, more S-shape. |
| Type 3 | Legit curls. These can get super springy! Ringlet goals. |
| Type 4 | Coily or kinky. These curls are tighter and more dense. Think spirals and shrinkage. |
Now, why does this matter? Well, the products you use and how you style your curls totally depend on the kind of curl you’re rocking. Understanding your curl type is like knowing which Snapchat filter to pick—it changes everything 💁♀️.
Bonus Tip for My Naturals:
For my Type 4 girls (kinky or coily hair), show your curls some extra love because they can be drier. AKA: breakage can be REAL if you’re not careful.
Be Friends with Moisture (Seriously!)
If you take one thing away from this blog, let it be this: Curly hair thrives off moisture. Not “kind of” thrives. Curly hair literally lives for it. Without moisture, curls get frizzy, lose definition, and become a ball of sadness 🙃.
So, how do you give those curls the hydration they’re craving? Let me break it down:
- Deep conditioning is a must: Do this at least once a week. It helps not just with hydration, but also with making your curls more manageable AND shiny (cue the hair-flip montage).
The best curls are hydrated curls
- Use leave-in conditioner: This stuff is magic in a bottle. After washing your hair, apply a leave-in conditioner while your hair is still damp. Why while it’s damp? Because damp hair absorbs the product better, and girl, your curls need it.
- Hydrating curl creams for the win: Before you go straight to the hair gel (and then complain about crunchy curls), try a curl cream. It helps with adding definition and combatting the dreaded frizz.
Also, can we take a moment of silence for all the curly gals who didn’t know how to properly hydrate their curls back in middle school? Middle school was embarrassing enough, why were we walking around with dry, frizzy curls that didn’t vibe? R.I.P. to those tragic phases.
Get Serious About Detangling (Because It’s Like Untangling Earbuds Sometimes)
Okay… moment of truth: Detangling curly hair is a PROCESS. It’s not like those hair commercials where the girl brushes through her flawless straight hair in 2 seconds, like, please. With curly hair, you need to be more patient. What are we talking about? Careful, slow, and with proper tools!
Here’s my go-to detangling survival kit:
- Wide-tooth comb: Your new bestie. Never never never brush curly hair when it’s dry. Like, nope. That’s how you get frizziness. Use a wide-tooth comb on damp hair instead. This way, you give your curls the love without tugging or snapping them. We don’t want hair that looks like it’s been in a boxing match 🥴.
- Start from the bottom!: Always detangle from the ends of your hair and work your way up to your roots. If you start at the scalp, you’re literally just inviting knots (and a mess) to your hair party.
- Detangle with conditioner in it: Life hack! Keep your curls soaked in conditioner while you detangle. This gives soooo much slip and makes the process faster and less tear-worthy.
ALWAYS detangle curly hair with conditioner, or regret it later when your curls poof like a cloud
What About Drying? (No Towel Turbans!)
Honestly, towel-drying curly hair can lowkey ruin your whole vibe. If you’ve ever wondered why your curls turn from cute and defined to frizzy mess after drying, it might be because of the towel. Terry-cloth towels rob your hair of that hydration it needs and causes frizz.
Instead:
- Use a microfiber towel or even a T-shirt to scrunch out the water gently.
- And for the love of all good curls, don’t rub your hair when drying it. Just squeeze out the water gently.
Another game-changing mode of drying? The diffuser. If you’re still blow-drying your curly hair without this baby, you’re missing out. It helps give volume while also preserving that curl shape without blowing them to Timbuktu.
The Styling Process (Finally!)
We’ve done all the prep, now onto styling! How you style your naturally curly hair can depend a lot on personal preference (and sometimes just your mood). Whether you’re looking for “Let me show off my curls” or “Let’s keep this low-key,” styling is key.
- The Wash & Go: Probably the most iconic way of styling natural curls. After washing (and conditioning, peeps), you add some defining product (curl cream, gel, or mousse) and let your curls air dry OR use a diffuser. Super fast, and lets the curls do their thing.
Pro Styling Tip: Scrunch products in. Don’t, like, rake them through. You want to encourage those curls to form their perfect spirals.
- Twist-Outs or Braid-Outs: Okay, this takes more time but gives defined, tighter curls! Section off pieces of your hair and twist or braid them when wet, then let dry (overnight, if you want), and BOOM—crazy definition.
- Pineapple Your Hair for Overnight Curls: Before bed, gather all your curls into a high, loose ponytail right on top of your head (so it looks like a pineapple). This protects your curls as you sleep! No more morning “pillow frizz.”
-
Edge control for the win: If you’re into doing a slick low bun or ponytail, don’t forget to lay those edges down. There’s a whole universe of edge brushes and edge controls waiting for you.
Also, let’s just take a moment to appreciate Zendaya’s curly hair, carefree perfection during pretty much every red carpet EVER.
Watch Out for Heat Damage!
Girl, I know sometimes you want to change it up, and straightening your curls might seem tempting. But just a PSA: Heat damage is SO hard to reverse on curly hair. Like, once your curls get damaged from too much heat, it could take forever for them to bounce back. So… use heat in moderation, and when you do, use a really good heat protectant. Your curls will thank you.
Also… dyson blow-dryer anyone? (dreams).
A Quick Recap:
I know, this has been a lot… but let’s do a quick recap because curly hair? It can honestly be low-maintenance and fab if you treat it right:
- Know your curl type: You need to know what kinds of curls you’re dealing with to pick the right products.
- Moisture is Queen!: Deep condition, leave-in conditioner, and hydrating curl cream are your new squad goals.
- Be gentle with detangling: Wide-tooth combs, conditioner, and always detangle from the bottom up.
- Microfiber towel or T-shirt: No rubbing. Scrunch and protect.
- Style with scrunching, not raking: Wash ‘n gos, braid-outs, twist-outs, it’s all about making your curl pattern pop.
- Limit heat: Preserve those curls because heat damage is NOT a vibe.
Now, go out there and take on the day like the curly-haired goddess you are ✨!
