How to Enhance Natural Curls: Products & Techniques

Co-authored by Christine George and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: March 2, 2023 References

Want curly hair, but aren’t sure where to start? Most of us have some natural waviness to our hair, even if it looks pin straight! No matter what hair type you have, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll tell you how to enhance your natural curls and encourage waves with the right products and routines. For all our curling secrets, read on!

Things You Should Know

Enhance your natural curls by using moisturizing products and adding gels or curl creams to your routine.
Pat your hair dry with a microfiber towel, then let it air dry or use a diffuser.
Get a haircut with layers, and try to get trims every 6 weeks.

1

Condition your hair regularly.

Use conditioner to add moisture and hydration to your curls. While conditioning is important for every type, it’s extra important for people with curly hair. Whenever you wash your hair, be sure to add conditioner to your mids and ends, then let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing it out.^{[1]
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- If you have thick hair, use your fingers to gently comb through your locks while they soak in conditioner. This will gently detangle your curls without pulling your hair or damaging it.
- Some people with curly hair like to co-wash, meaning only “washing” their hair with conditioner on the days they don’t use shampoo. If you have thick or coarse curly hair that needs a lot of moisture, consider adding co-washing into your routine.

2

Let your hair air dry or diffuse it.

Air drying and diffusing encourages curls and waves. Letting your hair air dry naturally is a great way to encourage your natural curls and let them shine. If your hair takes a while to dry or you’re in a rush, use a diffuser attachment on your hairdryer and diffuse your hair instead.^{[2]
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- If you’re going to diffuse, flip your hair upside down first. This will encourage volume and give your curls more bounce.

3

Use a wide-toothed comb to brush your hair.

Combs detangle curly hair without making it frizzy. When you need to detangle your hair, use a wide-toothed comb, and brush your hair gently from the bottom up.^{[3]
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- If you have thick or coarse hair, try a detangling brush instead.
- Most curly hair experts warn that you should never comb your hair when it’s dry unless you’re about to wash your hair. Since combing and brushing makes curls frizzy, it’s actually better to avoid combing as much as you can.

4

Dry your hair with a microfiber towel.

Use a microfiber towel to dry your hair gently and prevent frizz. Rough cotton towels make your hair frizzy and can cause damage and breakage. When you’re done washing your hair, gently squeeze out excess moisture with a microfiber towel. Then, plop your hair in the towel to remove most of the water.^{[4]
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- Don’t have a microfiber towel? Use a thin cotton T-shirt instead.

5

Moisturize your hair with leave-in conditioner.

Curl creams and leave-in conditioners hydrate your hair all day. If you have frizzy hair or very tight curls, you might need added moisture while your hair is dry. In that case, use a leave-in conditioner spray or scrunch in a curl cream after you get out of the shower. These products help lock in hydration and reduce frizz even after your hair is dry.^{[5]
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- You can also use oils on dry hair to tame frizz. Start with a pea-sized amount, and focus on the ends to avoid weighing your hair down.

6

Enhance your curls with gel or mousse.

Products like gel and mousse define your curls and keep them in place. Different curl types respond better to different products, so it may take some experimenting to find what’s right for you. If you struggle with frizz or flat hair, consider using a gel or a mousse to enhance your natural curls.^{[6]
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- Start with a grape-sized amount, and apply it with your fingers to wet hair.

7

Use sulfate-free hair products.

Avoid sulfates to make your curls shiny and moisturized. Sulfates are harsh cleaning agents, and they can make your hair dry, brittle, and frizzy.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.} When you buy shampoo, conditioner, and hair products, look for ones that say “sulfate-free.” You can also look for moisturizing ingredients, like avocado oil, coconut oil, and argan oil.
- Try to avoid products with alcohol in them, too. Alcohol is very drying and it can make your hair frizzy.

8

Lock in your curls with hairspray.

Hairspray keeps curls in place without weighing them down. If you notice that your curls tend to look a little limp or lackluster at the end of the day, give them a spritz of lightweight hairspray first thing in the morning. The hairspray will help keep your curls defined and add volume to your roots.^{[8]
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- Avoid any hairsprays that are super heavy or have a strong hold, since this could weigh your hair down.

9

Wash your hair no more than 3 times per week.

The more often you wash your hair, the drier it becomes.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.} Dry hair becomes frizzy, which can make your hair look less curly than it is. Try to limit your wash days and spread them out so the natural oils from your scalp moisturize your hair.
- When using shampoo, try to use more on your scalp, and less on the ends of your hair. This will help prevent the mids and ends of your hair from getting dry.
- When using conditioner, try to use more on the ends of your hair, and less on your scalp. That way, your ends are moisturized but your scalp doesn’t get as oily.

10

Get your hair trimmed every 6 weeks.

Getting your hair trimmed regularly will help to eliminate split ends. Since split ends can make your hair look frizzy or damaged, it’s a good idea to keep your appointments up at the salon. Stay on a trimming schedule so your hair looks shiny and healthy all the time.^{[10]
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11

Add layers to your hair.

Layers give your hair more dimension and let your curls shine. If you’ve had the same haircut for a while, it might be time to switch things up. Ask for a curly hair cut with layers to enhance your curls and take some weight off the ends.^{[11]
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- Cutting curly hair is a little different than cutting straight hair. Ask your stylist to cut your hair dry instead of wet, and consider getting layers to take the weight out of your hair and let your curls shine.

12

Use bobby pins to create pin curls.

Curl your hair without using heat by doing pin curls. While your hair is slightly damp (but not dripping wet), roll 1 in (2.5 cm) wide sections of your hair up and over your fingers. When you reach your scalp, secure the hair with bobby pins to keep the curl in place. Do this all over, then wait for your hair to dry completely before taking out the bobby pins.^{[12]
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- Pin curls will give your hair natural-looking curls if it’s straight. You can also use pin curls to enhance your natural waves or add volume to a flat or limp spot in your hair.
- Other options for adding curls to straight hair include using rollers, braiding your hair, and curling your hair with rags.

Expert Q&A

Question

How long do these methods last?

Ashley Adams
Professional Hair Stylist
Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.

Ashley Adams

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

All of these methods should last for a day, and have the potential to last longer. Take care of your curls by wrapping your hair with a scarf at night while you sleep.
Question

How can I keep my hair curly even after sleeping?

Ashley Adams
Professional Hair Stylist
Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.

Ashley Adams

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

At night, you could sleep with rollers in your hair or even do pin curls. After you've curled your hair the very first time, take large sections of hair and roll or pin them. The following morning, remove the tool that you've used, and separate the curls into smaller sections to maintain your curly hair.
Question

What do I do if my hair is too frizzy at the ends?

Community Answer

I suggest cutting the frizz, as it may be old, damaged hair. I also put conditioner at the ends to minimize the frizz and smooth it out.