Have you ever looked in the mirror and felt frustrated by your unruly, frizzy curls? You’re not alone – curly hair can be notoriously difficult to manage. The good news is that with the right techniques and products, you can conquer those curls and achieve gorgeous, defined ringlets.
We only share about 10% of the world’s DNA with our furry friends. But if you have naturally curly hair, you and your poodle have something in common! Curly hair is beautiful but requires some extra TLC.
This article will provide expert tips to help you understand the science behind your curls, properly cleanse and condition, and style for maximum definition and frizz control. With a little time and effort, you’ll be flaunting luxurious, bouncy locks in no time!
Understanding Your Curls
The first step to caring for your curls is understanding what type of coils you have and how they behave.
Curl Types
Curl types range from straight to tightly coiled. Most classification systems identify four main types:
Table 1. Curl Type Classifications
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| 2 | Wavy |
| 3 | Curly |
| 4 | Coily |
Type 2 hair has loose waves, type 3 forms springy ringlets, while type 4 consists of tightly coiled curls.
You can further break down the categories into subgroups a, b and c. Type 3a is loose curly, 3b is classic curly, and 3c is tight curly.
To determine your curl type:
- Cleanse and condition your hair
- Let it air dry completely without touching or scrunching it
- If your hair forms wide waves, you likely have type 2
- Springy S-shaped ringlets indicate type 3
- Tight zigzags mean type 4
Identifying your curl pattern helps you choose the right products and techniques.
Hair Porosity
Porosity refers to your hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture. It depends largely on the condition of the hair cuticle – the protective outer layer of each strand.
There are three levels of porosity:
- Low: Cuticles lie flat and repel moisture. This hair takes longer to become wet and dry.
- Normal: Cuticles allow a balanced uptake of hydration.
- High: Cuticles have gaps that allow moisture in but also cause it to leak out. This hair quickly absorbs but dries out fast.
To test porosity, spritz a section of clean hair with water. Low porosity hair will remain dry even after 2 minutes. High porosity hair saturates almost instantly.
Understanding porosity helps you figure out what products your hair readily absorbs or needs help retaining.
The Science Behind Curls
Curl formation depends on the shape of the hair follicle beneath the skin and how the hair grows out of it.
Curly hair follicles are oval or non-circular, causing the strands to have more volume on one side than the other. This gives them an automatic curl or wave pattern as they exit the scalp.
The strands also contain uneven levels of proteins and moisture:
- Keratin proteins on the outside bend inward to curl
- Moisture on the inside expands outward for curl definition
These proteins bond through sulfur atoms, forming strong disulfide bonds. Gentle heat and tension can temporarily reshape curls by breaking the bonds. But water reactivates them, causing the strands to revert to their natural coil pattern.
Cleansing and Conditioning Routine
A good wash day sets the stage for defined, hydrated curls. Follow these steps for frizz-free results:
Pre-Poo
Pre-pooing coats and protects hair before cleansing. Massage oils like coconut or argan into your dry lengths and let them soak in for at least 30 minutes. The oils lubricate your hair, minimize hygral fatigue, and allow shampoos to cleanse more gently.
You can also pre-poo with thick hair masks containing nourishing ingredients like shea butter, honey or avocado.
Gentle Cleansing
The wrong shampoos can wreak havoc on tender curls. Harsh sulfates strip the hair and disturb the protective lipid layer, causing dehydration and frizz over time.
Opt for a sulfate-free cleanser formulated especially for curls. Check that it contains moisturizing oils and ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid. Cleanse roots first, then work downwards avoiding knots and tangles.
Condition, Condition, Condition
- A good conditioner equals good curl days. Nourish hair with moisture and plant oils to maintain elasticity and sheen. Curly favorites include argan oil, shea butter, aloe vera, and coconut derivatives.
- Deep condition once a week to dramatically boost moisture, especially for porous or color-treated hair. Coat each strand, let it penetrate with heat for 20 minutes, then rinse.
The key is to condition before towel drying or applying stylers. This allows key ingredients to penetrate within the hair shaft instead of simply coating the outside.
Squish to Condish
Maximize hydration absorption with the “squish to condish” method. After cleansing:
- Apply conditioner and massage it in.
- Gather your hair in handfuls and gently squish upwards from ends to roots, squeezing the conditioner into your coils.
- Use your palms to encourage curl clumping.
- Rinse with cool water.
The squishing action fills every strand with nourishing ingredients to prep for styling.
Styling Techniques for Defined Curls
Style and define your curls with these easy techniques:
Plopping
Plopping uses a microfiber towel or t-shirt to simultaneously absorb excess moisture and enhance curl formation.
Steps:
- After cleansing and conditioning, tip your head forward.
- Place the towel/t-shirt down onto your hair, gathering the curls into the fabric.
- Twist the ends of the fabric together at your crown to secure it. This gently presses the coils together to encourage curl clumps as they dry.
- Leave it wrapped for 20-30 minutes, then gently unwrap your hair, scrunch in products and air dry.
For more volume at the roots, tip your head upside down while plopping.
Diffusing Know-How
Letting curly hair air dry often increases frizz. Diffusing with a blow dryer boosts the definition.
- Attach the diffuser attachment. Use low heat and speed settings to prevent damage and disruption of curl pattern.
- Tip your head forward and gently scrunch sections of hair into the diffuser cup, holding for 20-30 seconds.
- Lift your hair away from the scalp at the roots while diffusing for extra volume.
- Twist curls around your fingers while blasting them with cool shot air periodically to set the curl.
This stretches out the coils vertically for elongated ringlets and prevents shrinkage.
Avoid touching or combing hair while diffusing – this stretches curl pattern and causes breakage. Work in sections and cup your hand around the diffuser to shield fragile strands.
Gel Casting + Finger Coiling
Gel casting intensifies definition by forming a “cast” around curl clumps as gel dries. Once hair fully dries, break the cast by scrunching for ultra-defined coils.
You can further enhance coils with finger coiling – twisting hair strands around your finger to set the shape.
- Work nourishing gel evenly through clean, wet hair – saturating strands from roots to ends. Define pieces by twirling and scrunching them.
- Let hair air dry or diffuse until completely dry and hard.
- Gently scrunch pieces between your palms to break the cast, releasing bouncy curls.
DIY curl enhancer: For type 3 hair, mix flaxseed gel with a spoonful of curl cream or leave-in conditioner in palm palms. Smooth it through strands and style as usual. The blend defines curls without stiffness or crunch.
Continue below for additional tips on taming frizz and maintaining beautiful coils every day!
Taming Frizz and Maintaining Definition
Don’t let your hours of curl prep go down the drain. Maintain sleek, lush ringlets even between wash days with smart strategies:
Leave-in Conditioners
These lightweight hydrators revive dry strands on the go:
- Curl creams provide emollients that continue moisturizing without buildup. Smooth from mid-lengths to ends.
- Hair milks offer featherweight hydration perfect for fine or easily weighed-downcurls. Focus on parched ends and use sparingly.
- Botanical gels contain humectants that attract moisture to each strand, defines curls. Scrunch and define pieces with gel, then let dry.
Satin It Up
The slippery texture of satin causes less friction and tugging on delicate ringlets than regular cotton.
- Wrap hair in a satin scarf or bonnet before bedtime. This prevents strands from catching and pulling against cotton pillowcases.
- Find satin-lined hats, scrunchies, and headbands rather than fabric varieties that can deplete moisture.
Refresh Day 2+ Curls
Skipping wash days saves time and maintains vibrancy between full conditioning treatments.
- Mist hair with a spray bottle to reactivate product and coils. Avoid wetting completely.
- Loosely pineapple longer lengths on top of your head at night using a scrunchie or coiled pin to prevent tangles. Let short curls remain loose.
- Apply anti-humectant serum just to the ends to retain moisture where needed without weighing hair down. Focus on the fragile lower 2 inches.
Mask and Treat
Even with protective steps, curl damage can accumulate over time. Regular treatments prevent and restore:
- Protein-packed masks fortify strands against hygral fatigue and weather damage. Balance them with moisture masks to avoid protein overload.
- Deep conditioning treatments provide intense hydration and nourishment from roots to ends, keeping coils supple.
- Bond repair treatments use active ingredients to fill gaps in hair strands. Regular use helps keep curl integrity intact despite chemical and mechanical damage.
- Schedule an occasional salon Olaplex treatment for damaged tresses. The patent-protected formula rebuilds broken bonds to restore strength and elasticity within the hair shaft.
Additional Tips and Tricks
Pull together a full-force defense against lackluster locks:
Healthy Body, Happy Hair
What’s good for your body enhances your beautiful coils from within:
- Drink at least 64 oz. of water daily for hydration
- Consume omega fatty acids from fish, nuts and seeds
- Get ample protein from eggs, meat and legumes
- Treat your scalp to a massage while conditioning
- Take biotin, zinc and vitamin C supplements known to spur growth
Tend Your Scalp
Daily buildup, dryness, inflammation or sensitivity prevents your curls from reaching their full potential.
- Exfoliate with scalp brushes to lift debris and product residue
- Use shampoo massagers to increase blood flow
- Apply anti-fungal/anti-inflammatory oils at the first sign of irritation
- Check ingredients if hair products cause redness or itching
DIY Masks and Treatments
Whip up hair heroes with simple kitchen ingredients:
Table 2. DIY Nourishing Hair Masks
| Goal | Ingredients | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture Surge | 1 mashed avocado + 1 tbsp olive/grapeseed oil + 1 tbsp honey | Massage into clean, wet hair. Cover and let sit 30 minutes. Rinse and condition as usual. |
| Curl Definer | 1 cup plain yogurt + 2 tbsp argan oil + 2 tbsp orange juice | Smooth through clean, wet hair. Twist into bun on top of head. Chill for 1 hour rinse and style. |
| Damage Repair | 1 egg + 1 mashed banana + 1 tbsp coconut oil | Whisk ingredients. Apply all over in shower for 20 minutes. Shampoo and condition thoroughly. |
Embrace Your God-Given Coils
Curly hair holds a special place for those granted with its beautiful coils. Yet countless try to alter their texture to fit rigid beauty standards. Reframe your mindset:
- Appreciate your authentic texture – from the springiest coils to loose waves. All have unique beauty.
- Flaunt versatile styling options – stretched, defined, or fro’ed out.
- Celebrate good hair days and bad – the mark of curly confidence.
- Inspire the next generation to feel proud of their natural locks from a young age.
The ultimate secret? Self-love and innate joy passed down through confidently-rocked curls.
Conclusion
With proper care, curly hair transitions from troublesome frizz to fabulous ringlets. First understand your curl type and porosity to select customized products. Establish a gentle cleansing and conditioning routine to boost moisture. Style with definition-enhancing techniques like plopping, diffusing and gel-casting. Maintain your bounce by preventing breakage and regularly treating damaged strands.
Most importantly, relish the beauty of your distinctive coils. Curly hair marks you with uniqueness – wear it with pride!
We would love to hear your curl care journey and tips in the comments below!
