How to Learn to Love Your Curly Hair

Co-authored by Shun Pittman

Last Updated: December 4, 2021 References Approved

Curly hair: it can be the bane of your existence, but if you treat it right, your hair can be a beautiful and bountiful expression of who you are! If you've been wanting to rock your curls more, work on figuring out what your curly hair type is, as that can help you find the right products. Take good care of your hair, and you'll soon be loving those luscious locks.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Enjoying Your Hair

1
Rock your voluminous locks like you love them. With curly hair, you're blessed with more volume than the average head of hair. While you may think curls can be a bit of a handful, once you decide to love them, you'll likely get looks of admiration left and right.^{[1]
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- Try wearing your curls in a big way for a while. You may be surprised by all the compliments you get!
2
Take inspiration from celebrity styles. Celebrities have the benefit of high-end stylists who know what they're doing, so checking out their styles can help you find a cut that looks good with your hair type. Look for photo galleries of curly hairstyles online and identify the ones you like with similar hair types.^{[2]
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- Print off or save the ones you like so you can show them to your stylist!
- For instance, check out celebrities like Zendaya, Beyoncé, Ariana Grande, Keri Russell, and Taylor Swift, just to name a few.
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3
Love the fact that your curls aren't tameable. The fact that your curls are wild and free is half the fun! They may frizz at times or blow in your face. They might poof out more when it's humid out or drag a little when you don't have time to give them the proper care. Whatever ever way, though, your curls are a part of you and a great way to express yourself.^{[3]
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4
Revel in the extra time you'll save in the morning. Because you tend to wash and style curls less often than straight hair, your morning routine will now go faster! Take that extra time you would have spent straightening or styling your hair to do something you like. For instance, savor a relaxing cup of tea or coffee and head out the door ready to take on the day.^{[4]
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- In fact, one of the best ways to style curly hair is to leave it down and let it do its thing!
5
Drown out the naysayers with a good laugh. There's always going to be people who try to bring you down, and they may say negative things about your beautiful curls. Don't let them get you down! Try to laugh it off and move on. It's likely they're jealous of your natural volume and bounce anyway.^{[5]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Figuring out Your Curly Style

1
Use products for wavy hair if you have curvy hair close to your head. Basically, your hair has some definite waves, but not necessarily defined curls. Plus, it doesn't poof out too much. Wavy hair can range from fine to coarse.^{[6]
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- If your waves are very light without much volume, particularly near your scalp, opt for water-based mousses that won't drag down your waves.
- If you have more defined waves that are a bit coarser, try a product with saltwater, usually labeled as "sea spray," to give your hair texture.
- If your waves are thicker and coarser, you're probably prone to frizziness and flyaways.Try shampoos that are sulfate-free and throw in a leave-in conditioner to help tame your hair.
2
Opt for de-frizzing and hydrating products if you have more pronounced curls. Curly hair is just what it sounds like. You can have soft, bouncy curls or tighter ringlets, depending on your hair.^{[7]
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- If you have loose rings that are about the thickness of a tube of lip balm, use a de-frizzing cream on damp hair to help define your curls. Then,keep your hands off! If your hair needs help later in the day, try a curl refreshing spray.
- If you have tighter ringlets about the size of a highlighter, try styling products that have naturally moisturizing ingredients and apply your product to damp hair.
- For tight, pencil-sized ringlets with a lot of volume, try a sulfate-free shampoo. With styling products, opt for hydrating creams or mousses and add them to your hair when it's still very wet, which will help your ringlets gel.
3
Focus on hydration if you have tight, coiling hair. If you have this type of hair, it tends to be naturally dry, so you have to include hydrating products to keep it healthy and beautiful.^{[8]
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- If you typically have tight springs (smaller than a pencil) with a larger s-shape, use curling creams on wet hair for an easy way to style your hair. Opt for one that has a built-in moisturizer.
- If you z-shaped coils, use moisture sprays or curling creams on your hair while it's wet.
- For the tightest of curl patterns, try leave-in moisturizers to help elongate your hair and seal it in with castor oil.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Caring for Your Hair

1
Find a stylist who works with your type of hair. Some stylists just don't know how to cut curly hair, and it can be disastrous. A good stylist can help you find the perfect cut for your hair!^{[9]
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Expert Source

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Expert Interview. 14 April 2021.} Don't forget to bring in celebrity photos to give your stylist an idea of what you'd like.^{[10]
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- If you don't have a good stylist, ask someone you know with a good haircut who has a similar hair type. They'll likely love to give you a stylist recommendation!
2
Avoid shampooing your hair every day. You may think you need to shampoo every day, but with curly hair, it's really better to do it every other day or even less. Shampooing too often will dry it out, and curly hair is already prone to dryness.^{[11]
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- You may only need to wash your hair once a week, even.
- If you have an active lifestyle, you may alternate co-washing in between your shampoos, where you only apply conditioner to your hair (not shampoo).^{[12]
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  Expert Source
  
  Shun Pittman
  Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
  Expert Interview. 2 December 2021.}
3
Pick a hydrating conditioner and let it soak in. Conditioners are particularly important for curly hair, as it tends to be drier. Opt for a natural conditioner without silicones or sulfates. Look for one made specifically for curly hair, and when you apply it in the shower, leave it in for at least 2-3 minutes (following manufacturer's instructions) \before washing it out.^{[13]
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- A leave-in conditioner is also a good option, as it gives the conditioner a chance to hydrate your hair.
4
Comb your hair with a wide-tooth comb when it's wet. Curly hair doesn't take well to detangling when it's dry, unless you have very fine wavy hair. Otherwise, you're just going to turn your hair into a tangled mess if you try to brush it when it's dry. Wait until your hair is clean, then use a wide-tooth comb to de-tangle it.^{[14]
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5
Put styling products on when your hair is still wet. Rub a dollop of the product into your palms and flip your hair upside down. Then, run your hands through your hair to apply it. Scrunch the ends of your hair to help encourage your curls.
- For most curly hair types, it's best to apply product to hair that is at least damp. In fact, for curls (rather than waves), using products on sopping wet hair is even better. It helps define your curls and keep the frizz at bay.^{[15]
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6
Try out different products to see what's best for you. While you can get recommendations for your hair type, no 2 heads of hair are the same.^{[16]
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Expert Source

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Expert Interview. 14 April 2021.} So even if someone you know raves about a product, it may not be the best one for you. Don't be afraid to switch things up to see what works.^{[17]
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- Start with recommendations from friends or family and go from there.
- Avoid products with silicones, sulfates, and parabens, which can coat your hair and block it from getting the moisture it needs.^{[18]
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- Natural products work well. For instance, try aloe vera gel as hair gel or flaxseed hair gel.
7
Remind yourself that straightening products and heat can cause damage. Over time, continually trying to straighten your curly hair can lead to dry and weakened hair. By going with your natural hair, you can take care of it better, which will lead to happier, healthier hair.^{[19]
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- For instance, flatirons and blowdryers tend to dry out curly hair and lead to frizziness. Chemical relaxers are even worse because they are so strong.
8
Wait patiently if you're transitioning to curls from chemically relaxed hair. If you used chemical relaxers most of your life, it will take time for your curls to come in. It can be hard to wait because you'll go through an awkward phase of half-straight and half-curly hair. If you can wait it out, though, you'll be rewarded with fun and full curls.^{[20]
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- You may experience some breakage during this grow-out period because of the extra tension caused by having two hair textures.^{[21]
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  Expert Source
  
  Shun Pittman
  Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
  Expert Interview. 2 December 2021.}
- To help yourself through this awkward phase, try updos, braids, and buns. Conditioning treatments can help, too.

Expert Q&A

Question

Does wrapping your hair make it more curly?

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Shun Pittman is a Master Cosmetologist, Author, Owner, and Founder of Corps d’Elite Salon and Corps d’Elite Beauty. With over 25 years of international experience, she is dedicated to and specializes in providing luxury salon services to all hair types and textures and every skin tone and shade. Her services include hair conditioning treatments, cutting, coloring, styling, extensions, and makeup application. Shun has experience working with, coaching, training, and mentoring beauty professionals from multiple companies including L'Oréal, Wella, Matrix, Paul Mitchell, Redken, Big Sexy Hair, and Toni & Guy. She is also a host for national and local media outlets and her work has been featured in The Washingtonian, The Cheddar Network, and WJLA Good Morning Washington's Beauty and Fashion Police segments. Shun is the author of “50 Things Your Hairdresser Wants YOU to Know (and a few things we don’t...)".

Shun Pittman

Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author

Expert Answer

It can, but you're more likely to get a combination of waves and curls. If you do want to do this, wrap your hair when it's a little damp and let it air dry. The hair will hold its shape a lot better if it dries out in the shape you want.
Question

Do you approach curly hair differently than wavy hair?

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Shun Pittman is a Master Cosmetologist, Author, Owner, and Founder of Corps d’Elite Salon and Corps d’Elite Beauty. With over 25 years of international experience, she is dedicated to and specializes in providing luxury salon services to all hair types and textures and every skin tone and shade. Her services include hair conditioning treatments, cutting, coloring, styling, extensions, and makeup application. Shun has experience working with, coaching, training, and mentoring beauty professionals from multiple companies including L'Oréal, Wella, Matrix, Paul Mitchell, Redken, Big Sexy Hair, and Toni & Guy. She is also a host for national and local media outlets and her work has been featured in The Washingtonian, The Cheddar Network, and WJLA Good Morning Washington's Beauty and Fashion Police segments. Shun is the author of “50 Things Your Hairdresser Wants YOU to Know (and a few things we don’t...)".

Shun Pittman

Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author

Expert Answer

A lot of people say "curls" when they're really talking about "waves" and vice versa. Wavy hair and curly hair are really two different things, and you don't treat them the same way. The first step is always figuring out what kind of approach you want to take based on your hair type. This is where a good stylist can really help you out, since they'll be able to guide you towards what's right for your hair.
Question

Do you brush curly hair?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Yes, brushing curly hair will help keep it tangle-free and distribute the natural oils through your hair. To prevent frizz, brush your curly hair while it’s wet, using a detangler brush.