11 Tips and Tricks for Curly Hair

What do orange juice cans and curly hair have in common? You might want to ask your grandmother.

In the 1960s, if you needed help managing curly hair, you saved orange juice cans as rollers. The girls back then also relied on pink foam rollers, a Jello-like product called Dippity-Do, and crème rinse, a.k.a., conditioner.

If you’re a curly girl today, we have great news!

You can have beautiful curls and never have to drink frozen orange juice or put a bunch of questionable gunk in your hair.

By the time you finish reading this article, you’ll have eleven new tips and tricks to add to your curly hair routine.

1. Know Your Type

We’re not talking about the type of people you like to date. Maybe you don’t even have a type. However, if you have curly hair, you’ll want to know your curl type.

Before putting any product in your hair, it’s helpful if you know your curl type. Whether you have soft waves or tight ringlets, your curl type falls into one of three types:

• 2—wavy
• 3—curly
• 4—coily

And then, you have subtypes: fine, medium-textured, and coarse. Subtypes are identified by the letters A, B, and C.

Be careful not to get too attached to one curly hair type. That’s because it’s possible to have more than one hair type.

2. Find the Right Shampoo

You can’t just use any old shampoo on curly hair. Knowing your curl type helps, but it’s better to choose a cleanser based on the condition of your curls.

Dry, brittle, or damaged curls need a formula with extra moisture. If you have a lot of product buildup, you’ll want a clarifying shampoo.

Type 3 curls like a co-wash. Loose curls do well with a volume-boosting cleanser and conditioner combo.

If you have classic curls, look for a moisture-balancing shampoo and conditioner. Tight curls need a regimen designed for deep hydration.

3. Make Time to Condition

We know you have a busy life, but don’t rush your conditioner.

Curly hair is thirsty hair! Don’t be shy with the conditioner. Give each curl a liberal amount, and let your conditioner work for a few minutes before rinsing.

A wide-toothed comb will help you detangle while your conditioner works its magic.

4. Never Brush Dry Curly Hair

Not only is curly hair more thirsty than straight hair, but it’s also drier and more brittle.

Tugging a brush through dry curly hair can result in breakage, and excessive split ends.

If you must brush, spritz a little water on your curls first. You can also use a tiny amount of moisturizing detangler.

5. Say Goodbye to Summer Frizz

During the summer, your thirsty curls draw in moisture from the air. Blame frizzy summer hair on the humidity.

With the right product, you can kiss those frizzled curls goodbye!

Go for a formaldehyde-free treatment like Magic Sleek. You’ll embrace your curls all summer long.

6. Put the Brakes on Daily Wash

Maybe you were told you had to wash your hair every day. That advice needs to go away, right along with brushing your hair 20 times every night before bed.

You can forgive the bad advice. Most people aren’t sure how to care for curly hair anyway. 

Give your hair a break for a few days between washings. Too frequent shampoo sessions strip your hair of its natural oils. 

7. Beat the Heat

You know how to prevent the frizz of summer, but there’s another kind of heat you want to avoid. It comes from your heat tools!

We’re not saying don’t use that cute little flat iron to straighten your hair. What we do want you to do is protect your curls from heat damage. 

A heat-protecting spray works wonders.

8. Watch Your Favorite Curly Girl

You know you keep up with her styles if you have a favorite celebrity. Have you ever noticed the sleek shiny hair worn by someone who usually walks out with a mane of curls?

There’s a secret to that! 

There’s nothing wrong with trying a straight ‘do once in a while. After all, don’t the straight-haired girls sometimes go for the faux curls?

9. It’s All About the Towel

Do you normally grab whatever towel is handy when you get out of the shower? That’s okay if you’re only drying yourself, but your curls need a little extra pampering when wet.

After you shower, gently squeeze the water from your curls with a microfiber towel. If you don’t have one, a soft t-shirt will work.

Regular terry towels can damage your hair and lead to frizz.

10. Love Your Stylist

You’ll visit more often when you have a great relationship with your stylist. Regular trims are a curly girl’s best friend.

The driest, thinnest part of the hair strand is at the end. Regular trims help repair damage and prevent breakage and split ends.

11. Love the Hair You Were Born With

We spend a lot of time blaming our parents. They were too strict (or not strict enough). They made you go to bed on time, and they made you eat your vegetables.

Did you know you can also blame your parents for giving you curly or straight hair?

That’s because your genes control the shape of your hair.

Isn’t it time to embrace the hair your parents gave you? Pampering your curls is one way to show the love.

Want More Curly Girl Tips?

You’re beautiful, no matter what — curly or straight hair — and you’ll never have a bad curly hair day with the right products in your hair care routine.

If you’re looking for more tips on how to care for your curls, we’d love for you to keep reading our blog. You’ll find plenty of how-to articles and we’ll help you keep up with the latest trends in hair care.