Table of Contents:
- Understanding your curl type
- Creating a curly hair routine
- How to style curly hair
- Choosing the best hair product for your curl type
- Simple hairstyles for curly hair
Regardless of your curl type–from wavy, curly, to coily styles–figuring out a curly hair routine and implementing it can be exhausting. With new products constantly being released or “new” hero ingredients being pushed by influencers, it can be overwhelming trying to keep up. If this sounds like you, you may be in need of a curly hair care routine refresh.
Finding the right products and hairstyles for your unique curl pattern can simplify the stress of styling while promoting healthier hair. With a personalized curly hair routine, your curls will look bouncy and shiny, and feel healthier. First things first, before building a curly hair routine, you’ll need to know your curl type.
Understanding your curl type
Styling naturally curly hair involves embracing its unique texture and working with it to enhance its most natural pattern. Here are some of the best ways to begin understanding how to create the best curly hair care routine:
How to determine your curl pattern
Identifying your curl type can be challenging, as there is a wide range of hair types spanning from straight to coily. To make things easier, observe your hair in its natural state–aka when it’s freshly washed, conditioned, and most importantly, product-free. From there, you can classify your hair by type, with type 1 being straight, type 2 being wavy, type 3 being curly, and type 4 being coily. After identifying the category your hair falls into, you can then identify your subtype, which distinguishes how loose or tight your curl is, with “A” being the loosest and “C” being the tightest.
Source: goldielocks.com
How curl type dictates your routine
Not all curl types are the same, and they shouldn’t be treated the same. Your curl type will dictate not only the products you’ll use, but how you wash and style your hair as well. For healthy curls, be sure to use the best hair product for your curl type:
- Waves (2A-2C) benefit most from lightweight hydration and stylers so as not to weigh down the hair.
- Curls (3A-3C) require more moisture in the form of richer creams or gels that can hold the style longer.
- Coils (4A-4C) benefit most from deep moisture, thick creams, and hair styling that emphasizes maximizing definition and detangling.
Creating a curly hair care routine
Once you identify your curl type, you can start creating a curly hair routine specific to your hair needs and desired style. This may take some trial and error, but learning the following can help get you started:
Apply products to wet hair
To maximize the absorption of any products you put on your hair, it is crucial that you apply any curly styling products to soaking wet hair.
Applying your styling products to your wet curls ensures that:
- The moisture is locked in and encourages your curls to form their natural shape without weighing them down.
- Your hair product is evenly distributed, creating a smoother, more polished look for your curls.
- Your hair cuticles are open, which allows them to penetrate more deeply into the hair shaft, increasing their effectiveness.
- The cuticle is sealed, which minimizes frizz as your curls dry.
How to hydrate and define your curls
One of the most important things to remember about your curly hair is that it craves moisture. This is because the structure of the curl slows down the distribution of natural oils, leading to dryness. To minimize this issue, focus on the following key components of a healthy and hydrated curly hair care routine:
- Hydrating shampoo and conditioner to cleanse without stripping your hair of its natural oils
- Weekly deep-conditioning mask to add needed moisture
- Leave-in conditioner to prepare your hair for styling
- Creams, gels, and mousses to encourage definition when styling
There’s no perfect science to curl care. If your curls are feeling dry or undefined, add moisture through conditioning treatments or try styling on soaking-wet hair. Combined, these tools can make a notable difference in the look and feel of your hair.
How to style curly hair
Curly hair care is not just about your hair wash routine; it also includes your day-to-day styling. Here are some tips and techniques to keep in mind while styling your curly hair:
Use gentle detangling techniques
Curly hair can be especially prone to knots and tangling. To avoid further breakage or frizz, it’s important to focus on gentle detangling so as not to pull or tear any knotty hair. After applying leave-in conditioner, use a wide-tooth comb to work through knots. Work the comb up from the bottom of your hair to your roots to avoid unnecessarily tugging on your scalp or pulling at tangled sections.
Allow your hair to dry completely
We know the drying process can feel endless, but don’t worry, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Letting your hair dry completely allows for all the products you used to set. Disrupting this process can create frizz and defeat the purpose of all the effort you put into styling.
After letting the hair set and allowing the products to work their magic, maintain that definition by coating your hands with some hair oil before finishing your hairstyle. This works especially well when taking down a twist-out or separating curls for fullness. Try using a pump of curl oil in your palms to give your curls a lightweight, smooth, and shiny finish.
How to style your hair between washes
Refreshing your curls between washes is another vital step in styling curly hair. On the days you can’t do a full wash, you can make your own refresh spray with water and leave-in conditioner. Lock in all the moisture with a Curl Foaming Gel for definition and hold.
How to maintain your curls
Equally as important as refreshing your hair is the process of preserving your curly hair style. For those with curly hair, silk is your best friend. Sleeping with a silk scarf, bonnet, or a silk pillowcase is key when it comes to curls. Unlike cotton, silk won’t absorb your hair’s moisture. Also, other materials tend to cause friction when you change sleep positions which creates static that leads to frizz. Hello bedhead. So do your curls a favor and invest in some silk products that protect your hair while you sleep.
Simple hairstyles for curly hair
With your hair prepped and ready, you can begin experimenting with different hairstyles. Here are a few of our favorite easy ways to style curly hair:
Wash and go
Achieve defined curls effortlessly with a wash-and-go style, starting in the shower with a curl-friendly shampoo and conditioner. These help cleanse gently, boost moisture, and set the foundation for healthy curl definition. After washing, apply curl cream or gel to damp hair. Ensure even coverage by working in sections and finger-combing or using a curl-specific brush to distribute the product. Let your curls air dry for a frizz-free, bouncy look that showcases your natural curl pattern, or use a diffuser to speed up the process. Finish with a lightweight oil to lock in the shape and keep curls looking fresh throughout the day.
Braids
Braids are a classic protective style for curly hair that helps reduce daily manipulation and shields strands from breakage. Popular options include box braids, cornrows, two-strand twists, and braided updos, all of which keep curls neatly tucked away while retaining moisture. To minimize breakage and maintain hydration, start by applying a generous amount of our hydrate leave-in conditioner to soften and nourish the hair throughout the braiding process. You can also personalize your look by adding beads or colorful elastics for a fun, expressive finish.
Crown of curls
A sleek updo or bun can add sophistication while highlighting your natural curl pattern. To do so, pull your curls up with an oversized hair-tie or clips. If you want to take your curls to even higher heights, pull your hair toward the front of your head and pick the curls for a high pineapple. Finish with Forming Fiber or curl foaming gel to slick down the sides and tame rogue flyaways.
Half-up styles
A half-up style is an easy way to show off your curls while keeping hair out of your face. Try a traditional half-up ponytail or take your twist out to the next level by gathering a handful of twists (or curls) for a top pony and let the rest fall to the back. For a fuller pony, add more hair to the top half, or add a bang in the front. Finish with a barrette or a colorful hair-tie for extra flair.
Source: Shutterstock
Choose the best hair products for your curl type
Learning how to style naturally curly hair can be overwhelming, but with the help of the right products and methods, it doesn’t have to be. That’s why at Verb, all of our hair products for curly hair are free of parabens and harmful sulfates, containing only the good stuff to keep your hair looking its best. Don’t just take our word for it, see what the Verb community has to say! If you aren't sure where to start, check out our Curl Bundle, which features each of our best curly hair products to leave your hair feeling defined and hydrated.
Need more help choosing the best products for your curly hair? Check out our in-depth curly hair product guide that includes specific recommendations for each curl type.
Explore the VERB Curl Collection:
