7 Tips and Tricks We Learned About Caring for Naturally Curly Hair

For starters, one of the best tips for naturally curly hair is to skip the blowdryer. Instead, press your damp locks between your palms to squeeze out excess water before wrapping it a clean Tshirt or defrizzing hair cloth made just for curly hair, like Aquis Lisse Luxe Hair Towel. If you’re tempted to blowdry again in the future, be sure to slather on some heat protectant, such as Oribe Royal Blowout Heat Styling Spray to minimize damage.

Tangled hair is a big bummer no matter what your hair type might be—but detangling curly hair can feel like a two-person job. If you have knots in your hair, don’t reach for a comb to rake them out. Instead, arm yourself and your strands with a detangling formula like R+Co’s PINSTRIPE Intense Detangling Spray, which has vegetable protein for extra moisture as well as Abyssinica seed oil for nourishment. After application, use your fingertips to gently “comb” out the tangles.

When it comes to styling curly hair, it’s important to note that not all curls are created equal—this is especially true when outside elements like weather are involved. However, most curls love an ultra-hydrating shampoo like Briogeo’s Curl Charisma™ Rice Amino + Avocado Hydrating Shampoo. The formula features rice amino acids for frizz control, shea butter for deep hydration, vitamin E for protection and tomato fruit ferment extract to better enhance your curls. In addition to using the right shampoo for your curls, Michelle Cleveland, a celebrity hairstylist, says the best defense against weather conditions is to layer up your products. “Starting with a hydrating shampoo, continue with a deep conditioner and finish it off with a long-lasting leave-in conditioner,” she recommends.

Curly hair is known for being bouncy and voluminous. However, due to density or lack of style, curls can get weighed down and lose their volume. For this curly-hair woe, consider Oribe Curl Gloss. The alcohol-free product is specially designed for curls to enhance fullness, shine and spring. After applying the foam, give your ’do a quick spritz of Alterna’s Caviar Anti-Aging Miracle Multiplying Volume Styling Mist for a lift from top to bottom. “Keep your curly styling products in the shower so you can put it on right before you step out to dry off,” explains Lynnae D’Alleva, curly hair expert and owner of Dryland Salon. Doing so “locks in all that lovely moisture and helps you get a more even drying of your curl,” she adds.

If you have gravity-defying curls, you probably notice—and get frustrated by—the onset of frizz in both warm and cold weather. No need to panic! A proper styling cream like Oribe’s Curl Control Silkening Creme can help you ward off the frizz and show off that gorgeous, natural texture. The star ingredient in this formula is coconut oil, which can nourish strands and provide hair with more shine while doing away with flyaways and frizziness.

Because curls can easily become dry, brittle and damaged, you might start to end up with “curls that are much bigger at the bottom and weighed down on top,” which D’Alleva refers to as “the triangle head.” Fortunately, there are ways to combat this curly-hair woe and all it takes is a little extra R&R for your strands. To repair dryness and damage, reach for a hydrating mask like miriam quevedo’s Extreme Caviar Intensive Anti-Aging Luxe Masque. Formulated with caviar for hair restructuring, this luxurious treatment can help replenish moisture and revive sad-looking curls.

Dry shampoo is another must for your curly-hair arsenal as Cleveland warns against over-washing your hair. “If you can skip a day of shampooing and simply mist the hair with a combination of water and conditioner, do it,” she says. “Even if you absolutely have to stick your head under the faucet in the shower, don’t reach for the shampoo every time. Try skipping shampoo and just use conditioner on in-between days to avoid removing too much of the good oils your curls need to survive,” Cleveland suggests. If the natural oils are unbearable, a dry shampoo like Klorane’s Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk can absorb the grease and leave you feeling fresh and clean without a rinse and repeat.