Having a head full of curly hair is great, but it can definitely be a challenge to maintain sometimes. After years of fighting to straighten my natural curls, I've finally learned how to embrace them. Don't get me wrong, I still rock it straight from time to time. The difference now is that I no longer feel that I NEED to wear my hair straight in order for it to look good!
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There was a time when I would resort ONLY to the blow-dryer and straightener, because I felt like I had no control over how my curls would behave. Whenever I would choose to sport my ringlets, I would wash, put in some product, and pretty much hope for the best. Not anymore! I've finally figured out how to get my curly locks to look the way that I want them to. Here are a few tips I've learned over the yearsto help get my curls look smooth, bouncy and frizz-free!
Image via Johanna Torres
Get the right cut
My curls need to grow past my shoulders to fully form. Even so, whenever I leave my strands at one length, my hair starts looking really boxy (hello, Christmas tree hair!). Have a few layers cut in to give your curls some shape and volume. But be careful with very short cuts or layers, which can make curly hair look poofy. Consult with your hair stylist to determine the style that would work best for your ringlets.
Shampoo less
Curly hair is naturally dehydrated, so shampooing on a daily basis can leave curls dry and frizzy. Try lathering up every 2 to 3 days depending on your texture. Also, make sure to switch to a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo that won’t strip your hair of its natural oils. I love DevaCurls No-Poo Shampoo ($19). It not only cleanses but conditions your locks, leaving them clean and soft!
ALWAYS condition
You want to make sure you’re constantly conditioning your hair. Curls tend to frizz when they lack moisture. Try using a super hydrating conditioner, like Kinky-Curly Knot Today Conditioner ($12). It will not only leave your hair super silky, but it will make detangling a lot easier!
Lose the brush
Don’t even think about brushing those delicate curls with a regular hair brush! That will just lead to automatic breakage and frizz. Opt for a wide tooth comb to detangle your wet strands while there’s still conditioner in your hair. Make sure to start combing from your ends working your way up. Try Silk Elements Olive Oil Wide Tooth Conditioning Comb ($4).
Oil up
Try a conditioning treatment at least once a week. Hair oils are especially great because they help restore a healthy appearance to even the driest, dullest looking curls. I love Ouidad Mongongo Oil Multi-Use Hair Treatment ($36)–this baby left my curls nice and shiny!
Leave in the conditioner
Fight frizz with a leave-in conditioner. This formula will help keep your curls moisturized all day, believe me! After you rinse out your regular conditioner, tilt your head forward and distribute the leave-in formula throughout hair evenly. Make sure to scrunch curls as you apply to create bounce and definition. Try Mixed Chicks Leave-in Conditioner ($17). I recently started using this lightweight moisture treatment and it leaves my curly strands looking great every time!
Prevent the crunch
Almost every hair gel or mousse I’ve tried has left my curls feeling crunchy and looking like seaweed. And there’s absolutely nothing cute about that! For smooth, soft curls, opt for a light weight curl cream like Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk Moisturizer ($20). This lightly moisturizing lotion leaves curls defined, smooth and free from frizz. I can't get enough of it!
Skip the heat, please
The best way to dry your curls is letting them air dry. But if you’re like me and don’t like walking around with wet hair, add a diffuser attachment to your blow dryer. Diffusers distribute hot hair so your curls dry evenly without frizzing. Make sure to only dry until your head is about 85 percent dry. Try Babyliss PRO Universal Fit Finger Diffuser ($10). It works great and fits most blow-dryers!
Polish your curls
I never understood how celebrities with curly hair managed to get their curls looking so polished and perfect at events. I recently discovered that it’s all thanks to the help of a curling iron. If your curls are in need of a little bounce, or you just want to polish them up for a special occasion, try wrapping your strands around a curling iron. I have medium sized curls, so to make them a little tighter I use a half-inch curling wand like Hot Tools ½” Professional Spring Iron For Extra-Tight Curls ($40). Just make sure to apply a heat protective spray first to protect your locks from any heat damage. Most importantly, make sure your hair is fully dry!
Refresh curls
No time to wash and style your hair every morning? Worry not! Try a curl refresher like Curls Quenched Curls Moisturizer ($16) to revive frizzing or limp curls. Keep this spray on hand in case your curls start acting up mid-day!
