How to style curly hair has been one of the most popular posts on Hair Romance, and certainly the most commented. A lovely reader posed a question in the comments that I am often asked so I thought I’d share the answer here. I know many of you want to know how to get your curl back after years of straightening and Tammy asks:
I used to have long spiral curly hair. Over the years of coloring, straightening I have lost the “good curl” that use to be in my hair how do I get it back? Have been reading what you do and have figured out some great ideas. When I try to wear it curly it’s just not a “good curl” anymore. It will curl just not pretty, kinda frizzy. Your curls are beautiful and what I am striving for instead of all the work in straightening. Don’t have the time for all that work! Thank you for any insight you can give!
Thanks for you lovely comment and question Tammy, and I have gone through the same problem so I have a few tips on how to find your curls again.
How to bring your curls back to life
After you’ve singed and straightened your hair for a long time (as I did) it’s hard for your hair to remember the curls that were once there. It takes a few steps to rescue your curls and bring them back to life.
1. Get a haircut
If the ends of your hair aren’t curly and you’ve been straightening for a while you may need a chop. Curly hair is also cut quite differently to straight hair, and a few layers will help your hair spring back into curls. Here are more tips on getting a great curly haircut. Not sure your hairdresser is great with curly hair? Here are ways to find a good hairdresser.
2. Treat your hair
While you’re in the salon recommend getting a fresh hair cut, book in for a deep conditioning treatment. Curly hair is often drier than straight hair, and needs moisture to stop it looking frizzy. Plus, who doesn’t love a hair treatment? You may also want to give your hair a weekly deep condition at home.
3. Change up your routine
Your curly hair will need a new washing and styling routine. Check the labels on your current hair products and switch to sulphate-free products. Sulphates are essentially detergents that cause products to foam. While this feels “clean”, it’s actually stripping all the oils from your hair, which can aggravate your scalp and make your hair frizzy.
Choose a moisturising shampoo and conditioner for curly hair, and a curl cream or gel to shape your curls. It will take some trial and error to find the routine that works for your curls. Here are my tips for styling curly hair and there are great product tips in the comments of that post if you’re looking for more recommendations.
Good luck rediscovering your curls Tammy! I know they’re still there, and every time you wear them curly they will look better than the time before.
Have you brought your curls back to life after years of straightening? What’s you tip for reviving curly hair?
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
I straightened my hair daily for about three years and absolutely destroyed it.I finally stopped straightening it all together. To get my hair healthy again, I used “It’s a 10 miracle leave-in product.” (It really is a miracle). I also stopped putting my hair into ponytails, as the elastics pull on the curl and cause breakage. After several years of patience, my natural curls have grown out and are finally healthy again
That’s great Pam! I love the name of the product, I’ll have to give it a try x
I’ve always had curly/wavy hair but always thought it was just unruly and frizzy. I’ve always tried to take good care of my hair, however I straightened and coloured my hair (I tried most colours at some point or another) throughout my school days. It was only a few years ago that I thought I would try see if i could worq
(sorry my dog decide to sit on my laptop to get my attention) **work with my natural hair instead of against it. I stared using different techniques of styling, sulfate free shampoos, lots of conditioner, and protein. Although I am still on the look out for the next best thing for my hair, I pretty much have consistency with my hair.
Sounds like you’ve got a great routine and I love that you love your curls Xx
My hair is still naturally dry but in much better condition since I stopped colouring it. I also use a deep conditioning treatment weekly when I wash it & sulfate free shampoo!
Thanks Elle! Yes, colouring is damaging to hair and I’m guilty of that! I do extra treatments to make up for it
To keep my curly hair looking healthy and curly (rather than frizzy), I have stopped using straighteners and stopped colouring it too. I also use sulfate free shampoo and use a deep conditioner once a week.
But I did also have to have a few inches cut off as the ends were literally snapping off, it was worth it as my hair looks great now.
That’s great to hear Lis! Thanks for sharing your tips x
I must say, as a curly headed lady who fought he natural hair for years, that quitting shampoo and conditioner for apple cider vinegar has been a revelation for me! I use about half a cup of apple cider vinegar mixed with about 300 mls water whenever I need to wash my hair, and it is never oily or frizzy, my curls have great definition, no styling products or blow dry necessary. This has been a huge game changer for my curls!
HI Marianne
I’ve grown into curls from straight hair! I’m loving it ( at 52) but am having a hard time “styling” it. I want to look creative not frumpy!Over the last few years I used some natural soap shampoo and rinsed with vinegar. That worked quite well although the shampoo was drying. Now that you mention it, I reckon I might just try apple cider vinaegar on it’s own. Thanks for the tip.
Love to know how you go with the apple cider vingear Linda
That’s amazing Marianne! I must start using apple cider vinegar regularly x
As you’re doing all the other great stuff suggested here to re-condition your hair, you also might try encouraging the curl you want. My old hair-dresser taught me this trick – you basically just twirl in curls when your hair is damp, with whatever product already in it (e.g. leave-in conditioner). I start in the back and then work my way to the front on one side, then repeat on the other. I can usually see which bits of hair want to form a “curl clump” and I twirl all those together, in whichever direction they naturally want to go.
It looks kind of weird while it’s drying, but after it’s maybe 90-95% dry I run my fingers through *one time* to gently separate the curls and suddenly I have well-behaved spirals. I think how well this will work probably depends on the type of curl you have, but in general I’ve found that my hair is easier to manage if I “train” it, and when I decided to go back to curls this is how I did it.
That is a great tip Marisa! Thanks for sharing xx
I love this article!
I’ve been straightening my hair for a month straight and I noticed recently how my hair has lost its curly “oomph” And I was struggling with trying to make it healthy again.
Thank you so much for this & everyone else’s tips!
Thanks Icela! Hope it helps get your curls back xx
Well,I used to do my hair scene,though i never died it.Now when it drips drys it goes slightly curly but if i dry it with a diffuser it goes super straight unless i use LOADS of mousse,so i put loads in,then blow dry with my diffuser and then i come to come through the individule curls to ger ridd of the chunky mousse.I hate doing this because it so much hassle but it seems to be the only way my hair will curl nicely. Someone help me please xx
Have you tried a different hair cut? It makes a huge difference to how my curls sit. That and a treatment can do wonders for my curls. Good luck x