AD | We always want what we can’t have, don’t we? As the owner of an unruly mop of frizz-prone curly hair, I always wanted glass-smooth, straight hair. Reader, I spent YEARS ironing it straight and cramming it under a hat at the slightest hint of rain to avoid transforming into a poodle… So how did I finally learn to ditch the straighteners? Well, I’m not going to pretend it hasn’t been a long journey, but here are my ultimate curly hair tips and tricks to help you learn to love your curls too.
Contents
First, a Word About Curly Hair
If you have curly hair, you’ll probably be aware that you need to treat it differently to other hair textures. That means less washing, more conditioning, no heat styling, and finding the right products to cajole your locks instead of fighting what Nature gave you. All this starts with the right haircut, or more specifically, the right hairdresser who knows what they’re doing and how to cut curly hair.
Hairstyles for Curly Hair
Because your precious mop is often drier and more prone to split ends than straight hair, it’s important to invest in regular trims. And if you want some rippling waves or corkscrew curls, a few longer layers to break up the weight should see a more natural face-framing effect instead of a triangle halo on top of your shoulders. Trust me, I know of what I speak… But although longer curls tend to behave better, shorter curls can look amazing too, provided you get the right cut.
Washing and Drying Curly Hair
Next lot of curly hair tips for curly girls and boys, don’t wash your hair every day. Every third day is fine, and when you do, condition, condition, condition. Always comb through your tresses super gently when they’re wet (consider using an afro comb) and always from the bottom up to untangle any knots first. As you’ll probably know, using a hair dryer is a no-no unless you have a diffuser. Although, speaking personally, I prefer to let my curls air dry naturally. Something that would be far easier if I lived in a sunnier and warmer place, but those are long term dreams, alas.
Hair Products for Curly Hair
Curly hair doesn’t reflect light in the same way that straight hair does so you need to think about using products to define your curls and give them some gloss. Serums, creams*, and mousses* are your best friends here, ideally applied on still-wet hair.
Side note: mousses today are very different to those of my teenage years, which never failed to crisp and crackle when touched. None of my erstwhile boyfriends were allowed to come anywhere near my curls, much less fondly caress them. Personally, I think John Frieda* should be canonised for his Frizz Ease range and curly hair tips and tricks, although clearly I’m not wishing him into an early grave.
Other Curly Hair Tips and Tricks
Salt water gives the most natural curls – something to remember next time you’re able to go swimming in the sea. So don’t always be in such a hurry to rinse your hair, revel in your beachy waves for a while.
Plopping – although, disclaimer, I’m not a huge fan of this. (For those that don’t know, you wrap your wet hair in a t-shirt and leave you hair to dry). I found it took me too long and I felt odd with this weird kind of turban on my head. But others swear by this curly girl method, so maybe give it a go and see if it works for you.
A silk pillowcase is the way to go – if you haven’t tried sleeping on one of these then you NEED to, ASAP. Alongside a host of other beauty benefits, silk pillowcases reduce friction on the hair overnight, which makes hair look sleeker and more hydrated the next day. Honestly, I was sceptical too, but now that I use one, I’m never going back to cotton and facing a snarly snaggle in the morning.
Get pregnant – OK, relax, I’m being tongue in cheek here but I promise you, when I was pregnant my curls were LUSH. I know that’s quite a drastic way to tame your tresses, but maybe you could see it as a welcome side benefit if/when the time comes 😉 And sorry, I realise this is for the ladies only…
So there we are, my ultimate list of curly hair tips and tricks that helped me fall in love with my curls. Do you have curly hair too? How do you style your mane? Have you tried any of these methods? Have you got any haircare tips you can share?
* This is a sponsored post and also contains affiliate links (please see my Disclaimer).
My hair is SO curly and I love this blog post. Thanks for all the amazing tips, keep writing xx
Thank you so much, I’m so glad it was helpful! x
A great post on curly hair… I don’t have that curly kind of hair but yeah you are right we always want what we don’t have… a silk pillow case does make a difference though… I have been through some family emergencies last couple of months …missed many of your posts already… now trying to make a come back… hope you and your family are doing fine in this crazy Covid-19 situation… Stay safe and healthy…❤️
https://geniusenough.com/2020/01/18/lipstick-trends-for-every-occasion/
Thank you, that’s very kind. I’m sorry to hear your news, I hope things are better now, or at least as good as they can be. I hope you and yours stay safe too x
I have wavy hair which does curl a bit more if I leave it to dry naturally!! I’ve always been tempted to see if I can really get it to curl and you have some great tips on how to do that 🙂 Thank you, I might have to give it a go!! xx
Your hair sounds lovely! I’d love to hear how you get on if you do go for more curls 🙂 x
I have naturally wavy hair and I find when i dry my hair with heat after washing it goes so much bigger than if i’m to let it dry naturally x
I’m the same, I think the heat, even with a diffuser, makes it fluffier, my curls are much more defined when they air dry x
I don’t have curly hair myself, but this post will surely be so helpful to those that do! I absolutely love your curly hair, it’s beautiful. <3 xx
Oh my goodness, Sophie, thank you, that’s so kind of you to say so! x
I love this! My hair is curly and I spent so long straightening it, I never heard of the silk pillow case thing but my hair was so curly after beach days
All those hours, haha, such a waste, I feel you! Do try a silk pillowcase if you can, it’s a gamechanger!
Umberto Gianinni do amazing curly hair products, one of my friends uses them and it is amazing! Would definitely recommend them!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
Oooh, thank you for the recommendations, Amie, I’ll have to look into those 🙂 x
Embrace your curls! The best advice you can give. I straightened my hair for years before I put the straighteners down. The heat damage is simply not worth it and besides, curls are beautiful!
Yessss! Although it did take me a while to do just that but life’s a lot simpler now!
🤣 Sorry (not sorry) to be chuckling at your pregnancy tip!
My hair is always curly the day after I shower. In the summer I leave it loose to dry, but in the winter I wrap it in a towel. I had no idea that was called plopping! On most days, though, I am just a straight-haired gal. 🙂
Thank you, Jaya, I know it is a little drastic, haha! You are lucky to have the best of both worlds with your hair 😉 x
Thanks for these tips. I have 4a/4b type hair and it can be pretty unruly at times. It could stand to be conditioned more that’s for sure.
I’m not sure what 4a/4b hair is but glad these tips were helpful – and yes to conditioner!
This is so true! It’s been a process the past 2-3 years learning how my curls work, and now that I think I have it figured out it changes every so often! This is what I love about summertime because while swimming and all that takes place, the good thing is, is I don’t have to wash my hair hardly at all!
It does take a while, that’s true, and there are always so many new products to try as well! Hooray for summer and swimming (and please may we be able to do that soon) 🙂
These are such useful tips for people with curly hair. I have seen that a silk pillowcase is great for stopping breakages for your hair too! I have always had straight hair, but one of my little sister’s hair is curly! Thank you for sharing these great tips!
Thank you, Lauren, that’s so kind 🙂 And a silk pillowcase would be good for straight hair too, no more flyaways! x
Lol get pregs! There’s a sea salt spray from lush that im hearing good things about, and i think redken has one, too. I LOVE my hair straight outta the ocean, unfortunately Detroit is pretty low on saltwater.
Ive tried the tshirt and i dont feel silly but it does seem to take longer. I like my devacurl headwrap, it absorbs in like, 5 minutes.
I know, but it was true, my hair was gorgeous when I was pregnant, haha! I like the sound of a salt spray, I’ll have to investigate that and the devacurl headwrap sounds great too, thank you 🙂
I don’t have curly hair but my hair is slightly wavy and I’ve heard about using a silk pillow a few times, and that they are really helpful! Thankyou for sharing your tips x
Kayleigh Zara 🌟 http://www.kayleighzaraa.com
A silk pillowcase would help with any flyaways on wavy hair too – glad these were helpful! x
I love the curly hair looks you posted – for some reason I just can’t get my curls to do that so I often end up going with my straightener. Thanks for the tips – I’ll give it another try
Ah, thank you, that’s so kind – I hope some of them work for you!
I love the curly hair. I wish I would have it. NIce to hear about it..
Thank you, that’s very kind 🙂
Great tips! I don’t have curly hair but it also got amazingly smooth during my pregnancies 😉
Pregnancy hormones are weird, aren’t they, haha!
I never knew there was so much to learn about curly hair! This post is really interesting Lisa, thank you for sharing your tips and tricks. Hehe, the pregnancy tip made me smile 🙂 and I love that salt water gives the most natural curls, the perfect reason to go to the beach, right? Your hair looks beautiful by the way, and I am glad you have embraced the curls – they are so pretty! Thanks for sharing Lisa, fab post! <3 xxx
Ah yes, I was half joking about the pregnancy, but let’s say I’ll be sticking to creams and mousses rather than giving birth again! Thank you so much for your lovely comment, that’s so kind of you 🙂 xxx
Great post. I’ve always dreamt of having very curly hair but it can be such a struggle. Definitely letting my hair dry naturally helps a lot – and saves a lot of damage too! x
Thank you – and yes, air drying is so much better for curls, my hair is always softer when I don’t use heat x
Oh wow, I never thought about how much work goes into maintaining curly hair. My hair is the complete opposite, no need for straighteners, my hair’s the straightest straight line on this planet 😀 But it does require a lot of care, Scandinavian hair is extremely fragile and thin and it can easily look like a dry stack of hay. I’ve only recently discovered the only substance that seems to work for it: coconut balm <3
Some years ago I would have been SO envious of your hair, haha. But that’s interesting, I didn’t realise Scandi hair was like that too, that’s a great tip about coconut balm, I’ll have to try some, thank you! 🙂
Great post! I have a very love/hate relationship with my naturally curly hair. A little over a year ago, I just got fed up and cut all my hair off. Ironically, I found that I enjoy having short curly hair! It’s dries more quickly and it doesn’t get weighed down (who knew?). Love the tips you mention here. I knew about some of them, but others were new to me (definitely trying the t-shirt thing, though will probably skip the pregnancy one).
I’ve been tempted so many times to cut all mine off too but I’ve been too chicken – although a shorter drying time would be fantastic so I might reconsider at some point. And yes, pregnancy is a bit of a drastic step, haha! x
I’m always looking for tips on how to take better care of my daughter’s curls. I love how the ocean makes her hair look. Even if we are just near the beach it starts curling better. We have tried a few salt sprays to try to recreate the beach hair.
I’ve been hearing quite a lot about salt sprays and how good they are – I think that’s something I really need to look into, thank you!
I’ve always been so jealous of those with naturally curly hair. I understand the complaints about aspects of the care and upkeep, but it looks so incredible!!! I can’t get my hair to hold anything more than a wave even when I try…
Ah, that’s my point, I’ve always been jealous of those with naturally straight hair, haha. But thank you, I’m loving my curls a lot more these days 🙂
These are all such great tips for curly hair! I wish my hair was either curly or straight. It’s more in between and just really thick and wavy and hard to style lol
Thick and wavy sounds wonderful, lots of body and volume, I bet it looks amazing!
thank you for these great tips!
My hair has been super flat lately from staying inside all the time, I am going to try to make it better again ! <3
You’re very welcome, I’m glad they’re useful – here’s to better hair days for all of us 🙂
Great post-Lisa! I have naturally straight hair but near on everyone in my family has curly hair. I have gone through nearly all of the above tips and tricks with my nan! she’s forever trying to find something to tame her curls! I will have to send this post her way and see if there’s anything she hasn’t tried yet!
Also, the last part really made me laugh! haha! probably wouldn’t get pregnant again just for the sake of luscious locks 😉
Ashleigh x
Aw, thank you so much, that’s so sweet of you – I have this picture of your nan wearing a t-shirt turban now, haha. And yes, I know, there’s no way I’d get pregnant again for ANY reason even though I still miss my glossy locks! xx
hahahah! Loved this post as I have unruly curly hair. Went through the same – ironing my hair on an ironing board with an iron, before straighteners were introduced. I used to hate the rain. Now – I still hate the rain but my hair LOVES it and so I allow it! Embracing my curls has never been more empowering. I feel sexy and strong and I love standing out in the crowd because of my luscious bouncy curls! Thank you for this post. Its made my day. 💖
Oh wow, thank you so much, that’s so wonderful to read, I’m so happy you enjoyed it! And that’s wonderful your curls make you feel so empowered, you rock! x
I never knew there was so much to learn about curly hair! I always let my hair dry naturally and it’s never bothered me, sometimes it’s really curly and looks like a bird’s nest, other times it comes out nice and wavy, but I just deal with it. My hair care skills aren’t that great though but oh well haha
Oh I have birds nests days too, but far fewer than I used to, thankfully. Your hair sounds gorgeous though, to do nothing and still have waves would be the dream!
I don’t have curly hair, but my best is suffering and don’t love her hair because it’s so curly ! After reading this article i actually think about my own hair! That’s so empowering and i’ll share it with my friend ! thanks
Thank you so much, I hope some of these tips help your friend – that’s very kind of you 🙂
Hahahaha yes, being pregnant definitely gave me lovely bouncy curls!
John Frieda has been my saviour for almost 20 years now.
Going to give the silk pillowcase thing a try – great tip!
Yesssss, it must be those mixed up hormones, haha. Glad to find another JF fan and absolutely, do try a silk pillowcase, you won’t regret it! x
I found this post really informative, I have curly hair with ringlets, and live onboard a yacht. My hair is usually piled on top of my head and I use a Hygge band. Always looks fab when ai take it down if I have put it up when it’s wet. Love my curls.
Living on the yacht sounds like the ultimate dream, wow, your curls must look amazing after a day at sea!
My hair is more wavy than curly but whenever I put oil in my hair it gets really curly after! Plus oil is so good for the hair 🙂 xx
Yes, if you can find the right oil it really works well for us curly girls 🙂 x
Thanks for the tips! I have curly hair so I’m going to try some if these!
You’re welcome, I’m glad they were helpful 🙂
Great post; I’m always looking out for tips on how to manage my curls! I find hair masks to be amazing for my hair. I’m going to invest in a silk pillow case ASAP!
Ooh, that’s a good tip, it’s been ages since I used a hair mask, I’ll have to look into that again, thank you!
This post is so helpful! I’ve got naturally curly hair but I wear it straight a lot because I find my curls hard to deal with sometimes. I will definitely start using some of these tips! X
Yay, that’s great, I’m so glad it was helpful – and I didn’t realise you have curly hair either! x
I relate to your opening lines so much. I always wanted straight hair because people in my country said that curly hair was ugly. Now, as an adult who spends too much time reading academic journals, I wonder if that reaction came from the old racist aversion of natural ethnic hair. As in, curly is associated with non-white people. It’s a sad thought that keeps me up at night. I hope this is just my brain overthinking racism.
Anyway, I count myself lucky, because my hairdresser is a genius when it comes to curly hair. I was just about to call her for an appointment when we went into “intelligent lockdown”, so now I’ll have to wait until June before I can get my hair cut. And I desperately need it!
x Envy
Ah, thank you, Envy, that’s (weirdly!) very good to hear, although not about your fellow countryfolk, that’s downright mean. But I’m glad you’ve got a good hairdresser, even if you can’t see her for a while – I share your pain, although mine is more related to an ever-enlarging badger stripe of grey… ! xx
I love all of these tips for curly hair. Even though I don’t have curly hair, it is still good to know! I love it when people rock them in so many different ways. Oooh, it is so cool to learn about salt water giving natural curls. This is why they call it beach waves! Thanks for sharing!
Nancy ♥
Yes, exactly, that’s why they call them beach waves! And salt water might give you some curls or waves too, you never know! 🙂
Lovely post Lisa! My hair has a little natural wave but lately I’ve noticed actual curls appear. Sadly they don’t form evenly so I still end up straightening it. Now it would be the best time to give CG a try though!
Ooh, well, if you have a little natural curl then now would be a great time to experiment and encourage a few more – I’d love to see you document this if you do! x
I am the opposite of you, my hair is straight! I would love a bit more bounce and curl to it, but it is true what you said; you always want what you can’t have, don’t you? Curls don’t stay in my hair for long when I do curl it Reading how you manage your hair; I didn’t realise how much care you have to do when your hair is curly! My niece has lovely curls at the moment; they use ‘Frozen’ (Anna and Elsa) detangling spray to keep hers under control.
Thanks for sharing!
Aimsy xoxo
Aimsy’s Antics
A few years ago I would have been SO envious of you but I have – through much trial and error – learned to embrace my curls at last. But the Frozen spray sounds interesting, I might have to investigate that, good tip, thank you! x
I have curly hair and these tips are helpful. The last time I straightened my hair, it damaged my hair so right now I enjoy the curls and let it be
That’s one of the main reasons I stopped straightening my curls too – that, and I finally realised that the time could be much more enjoyably spent!
My curly hair was lush when I was pregnant. Not so much now, I have 9 months of baby hair growing at the roots which is all wispy and looks quite crazy!!!
Yay, another example of pregnancy hormones, I’m so glad I’m not the only one!
I wish I had this post when I started my curly hair journey. I was washing too often, not using a silk pillowcase, not conditioning enough and the list goes on. You’ve provided some excellent tips and I look forward to trying the plopping and saltwater method.
Oh, thank you so much, that’s so kind of you – I hope some of these methods work for you, even though ploppping wasn’t my favourite!
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an really long comment but after I clicked
submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over
again. Anyway, just wanted to say wonderful
blog!
Oh no, what a pain, I’m so sorry about that 🙁 but thank you so much, that’s very kind!
My hair is naturally curly but I blow dry it straight. Although I really want to embrace my natural hair, I love curls and want to restore my natural curls. I need to get some curly hair products and a silk pillowcase pronto I think.
It’s a mindshift for sure but life is so much simpler now I’ve embraced my natural curls 🙂 And yes, I couldn’t recommend a silk pillowcase highly enough, it’s a gamechanger!
Love my curly hair now at 79. Spent my younger years trying to keep it straight, what a waste of time. Today’s hair tips and products are amazing. I get so many compliments and it makes me look younger with very little effort.
That is absolutely LOVELY to hear, Barbara, hooray for us curly ladies!