The Perfect Routine for the Curly Girl Who Has Tried Everything

Camila00

Jul. 26

If you’re a curly girl, then you understand the pain, frustration and copious amounts of time involved in finding the perfect styling routine. Often times, us curly girls are raised by mothers who don’t understand how to style our hair type, so they end up using the dreaded brush to try and tame our hair. Our entire childhood is spent not knowing what to do with our hair and relying on our mothers to provide some type of style that won’t leave our scalps on fire and our curls frizzy.

Once we’re finally old enough to do our own hair, the real trouble starts. Many of us were taught to hate our curls and their ‘unmanageable’ nature, so we did everything in our power to hide them. From frying our hair with the straightener to lobbing on handfuls of gel in hopes of slicking back our hair and hiding our curls. For a while the hair straighteners, gels and mousses seemed to work but eventually our curls start to fight back. There comes a point in every curly girls’ life where she decides to be kind to her curls and let them flourish in all their natural beauty.

Although we may have made it past the journey of self-acceptance when it comes to our curls, years of neglect and mistreatment has left us without the proper knowledge on how to style curly hair. As a curly girl who has discovered a newfound love for my curls, I have tried every last tip and trick out there for curly girls and I want to help you on your journey by sharing it all.

How to Style Curly Hair

The Curly Cut – Finding the perfect cut for your curly hair is probably the most crucial step in the styling process. It can be easy to overlook, but don’t underestimate the power of a good curly cut. If your hair is cut into a shape you love, styling will only be that much easier. When deciding on the perfect cut for your hair, keep in mind your curl pattern because not all curly hair is the same which means it shouldn’t be cut the same. Hair with a looser curl pattern will typically fall flat to the crown making ideal for shaping while kinkier hair needs to be cut without pulling on the strands in order to achieve the desired look.

The Wash and Detangle – Detangling is another crucial step in the process because when our hair strands are tangled, the end product will not come out as desired. When detangling it’s important to wet the hair first, every curly girl knows detangling dry curly hair is a cardinal sin. If your hair is more prone to tangling, then a detangling product may be necessary as well. Depending on your curl type the tools you use to detangle may range from a brush to a comb to your fingers. I personally like to use a combination of a wide-tooth comb and my fingers as I have a tighter curl pattern which requires a gentler approach. If you have a looser curl pattern, then a simple brush may work best. After detangling, it’s time for a wash. This step can be controversial as many curly girls swear by co-washing or no-poo but honestly your wash method depends on your curl pattern and lifestyle. If you’re very active or use heavy styling products, then a traditional shampoo may be best. If your hair is dry and doesn’t accumulate too much product, then a co-wash may be best for you. Determining the right shampoo for you requires an understanding of your curls and their specific needs. As someone with thick, dry hair that is moderately active I use gentler shampoos on a regular basis in order to maintain moisture and then I use a more heavy-duty shampoo whenever I notice too much product buildup.

The Conditioning – Conditioner is the most important product in your styling routine. A great conditioner can make all the difference when you want to achieve the perfect wash-n-go. Again, understanding your hair type and its specific needs is essential in choosing the best conditioner for you. If your hair is on the oily side you may not need as much product, but if your hair tends to be dry like mine then you might as well buy the entire conditioner aisle. Having thick, dry curly hair means that I need tons of moisture, so I use natural conditioners infused with oils that work best for my hair like coconut oil or palm oil and I lather a good amount of product into my hair. After conditioning I follow up with another good-sized portion of leave-in conditioner to keep the moisture locked inside.

Styling Products – If you have more thick curly hair, then you know conditioner is not enough to keep your curls looking healthy. I personally use an additional curling cream and a light gel or oil to lock in the added moisture from these products. When applying styling products, make sure to be gentle with your curls and apply the product to every single strand.

Drying – The best way to dry curly hair is air drying, but in a pinch a diffuser on the cold setting is the next best option. Air drying leads to the leas amount of frizz as there is no manipulation required while diffusing can add some frizz. If you’re looking to add length in the drying process, then try stretching the hair.

The Refresh – As the days go by, your perfectly styled hair will start to frizz and look a bit more disheveled. If you’re on the lazier side like me and don’t want to go through this entire routine again then incorporate a refreshing spray in your routine. Adding a little moisture back into your curls everyday helps your curls last longer and look their best.

This may seem like an intensive routine but trust me your curls will thank you.

KEYWORDS

Hair Styling

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