Edit: The response to this post has been amazing! I’ve just created a new video tutorial of how to style curly hair for frizz free curls. You will also love my latest ebook that’s all about curly hair.
I love wearing my hair curly, but it took a long time to say that. My hair was a mix of frizz, waves, ringlets and crazy hair until I worked out an easy routine to style my curly hair that made the most of my curls.
You might think I always straighten my hair after my 30 Braids in 30 Days hairstyles, but it’s not the case. I straighten my hair for tutorials as it is easier to photograph and restyle for the step-by-step photos.
Plus the more you touch curly hair, the frizzier it becomes. My first styling tip is stop touching your hair. The oil and dirt from your hands creates frizz and will mess up your curls.
How to style curly hair
This is my quick way to style curly hair when I want to wear it out.
- Wash your hair. Here are my top 10 tips for how to wash your hair.
- Use a conditioning treatment, or leave your conditioner on for 3-5 minutes. Use a wide tooth comb or tangle teezer to get rid of any knots. This is the last time you will comb your hair. Comb gently, as wet hair is more prone to breakages.
- Rinse your shampoo and conditioner thoroughly.
- Turn your head upside-down, and gently shake your hair to let the curls form their natural shape. I use my fingertips on my scalp to lift my hair and let the curls take shape.
- Don’t rub your hair with a towel. I squeeze the water out instead of rubbing my hair and breaking up the curls. A microfiber towel, or t-shirt is even better as they are smoother on your hair.
- Apply a curl cream or mousse. I used Aveda Be Curly Style Prep and Curl Enhancer. Apply the Style Prep first, then the curl Enhancer which has a creamy texture.
- Use a diffuser to dry your hair to about 80% dry. You can let your hair dry naturally, but a diffuser is quicker and gives more volume. I used the Anthony Nader WAHL dryer to dry my hair with my head upside down. Then I flip my hair back, and check how it’s sitting. I usually restyle the front and partline, then let it be.
- As a final touch you can use a serum or wax to add more definition to your curls. I used O&M Frizzy Logic in the ends of my curls. I also love Aveda Pure Abundance Styling Potion sprinkled on my roots to add volume.
This looks like a lot of steps, but I’ve just broken it down in detail. It takes me less than 10 minutes to blowdry and style my curly hair.
Remember to check out my new video tutorial of how to style curly hair for frizz free curls. Find more curly hair posts here and hairstyle tutorials here.
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How do you style your curls?
My hair went from blonde, fine and straight to blonde ringlets overnight when I developed an auto-immune disease. I had no idea how to look after it so spent hundreds on shampoo and conditioner but nothing made it look good.
I cut my own hair as I found hairdressers I went to did not know how to cut curly hair.
Online one day I fell over ‘Curlsmith’ products for curly hair. This line is wonderful. I have been using the products for about 5 years now and everyone says how great my hair looks.
I have gone through menopause using the products and am really pleased my hair has survived and still looks good.
I use the Curl Quenching Conditioning wash (orange label), I washed my hair every day for the first month so I got used to having no lather etc. Every 2 weeks I use the Double Cream Deep Quencher on the ends.
The Moisture Memory Reactivator I use every day to calm the frizz but give my hair volume and nice curls.
I also trim/cut my hair every 5 weeks.
Hi. I always had wavy and beautiful hair. Texture too was good. As ageing and few medication it has changed to unruly and dry hair. On top of it I thought shirt hair would help that made it worse. Don’t know how to manage it now
I have very naturally curly reddish hair that I’m absolutely adamant about keeping long. I wash it every 4-6 days, and I often make a pre-shampoo hair mask using 3 whole eggs, 3 Tbsps olive oil, 3Tbsps of honey, a few drops of Tea tree oil and jojoba oil, and one Tbsp of coconut oil. I combine all of the ingredients together with a whisk, distribute it down the shaft of my hair, massage the pre-shampoo hair mask into my scalp for 5 minutes, and then put a disposable plastic shower cap on it. I then use one of these hot head thermal caps that are heated in the micro wave oven for 45 seconds on one side, and 45 seconds on the reverse side of the thermal cap. I then leave the thermal cap on for 15 minutes, then repeat the procedure. I then leave the disposable plastic shower cap on for another 15 minutes to a half hour, depending on how much time I have.
I then rinse the homemade hair mask out, and shampoo, condition and style it as usual. It’s been helpful–like very.
WOW, I love all the tips! I think I have tried almost all the products known to “curly-haired” people. I have curly/frizzy hair. I was using the Aveda line and really liked it, but got a build up. Now I am trying a Keratase product line and like the results, but my scalp starts itching. I use their shampoo and conditioner and thermal leave in. I have my hair cut wet and am happy with that, but strictly a scissor cut – no razor or thinning sheers. Talk about disaster with the later. I also hate crunchy curls, but I have been lightly spraying my hair after it is dry with Kenra’s Platinum Heat Block Spray to get a wavy look with curling iron. But, I am not a fan of hair spray…..itchy. And speaking of drying I have purchased a beauty shop brand hooded hair dryer and sit under it and it diffuses my hair in 15-20 minutes (my hair is VERY thick). But, when I travel…..what to do, what to do! Can’t take the hooded hair dryer with me. I, too, love the Moroccan Oil (or Jose Moran’s Argon Oil). Any suggestions (brand) for diffuser? I haven’t tried diffuser in a very long time. I’m a product of the 60’s/70’s and am tired of fighting my curls.
Have you ever tried DevaCurl products? Is there anything that is similar to them that you have found?
Hi Merr, I haven’t tried them yet as it’s not easy to buy them in Australia. I’m planning to test them out soon. The Shea Moisture ranges are similar and very popular too xx
Thank you for all the great tips Hair Romance…. and you have a great smile always…. I am asian and people can’t believe my curls are natural…. not quite as curly as yours but very similar…. My curls came when I grew older and after years of fighting with it have learned to love it. I tried the hair cream on wet hair and then towel scrunch a bit and then diffuse but find that most of the product is lost in the towel… yes a T-Shirt towel… and after diffusing, the top seems more frizzy. If I don’t t-shirt dry it and leave it very wet, it takes forever to diffuse and lately my curls are less define and look more like those bad hair picture they use to advertise shiny hair products before and after… of course mine would be before. Any suggestions?
Thanks much,
Hi Mei! Thank you so much for your lovely comments 🙂 I make sure to apply product to soaking wet hair and lately I’ve found the gel really makes a difference. Try the Kinky Curly Curling Custard which a lighter gel / styling product. It does leave a light cast on your hair but you can scrunch out the crunch once your hair is dry and you’ll have more defined and shiny curls xx hope this helps! xx