How to take care of curly hair

Curly hair needs a slightly different routine than straight hair, and it helps to know that, instead of fighting your natural texture. With the right choices, curls stay manageable and look lively without a daily battle in front of the mirror. A few small changes to your routine can make a surprisingly big difference.

Don’t wash it too often

Curly hair dries out more easily than straight hair, since natural oils don’t travel as easily down the full length of a curl. Washing 2–3 times a week is enough for most people, and you can rinse with water in between. A light, moisturizing shampoo is a better choice than one that cleans too aggressively, which can dry curls out even more.

Conditioner is a curl’s best friend

Leave conditioner or a leave-in product on long enough for it to properly hydrate the curls. Many people also find it works best to comb hair only while it’s wet, using fingers or a wide tooth comb, combing dry hair easily breaks up the curl pattern and adds frizz.

Let curls air dry in peace

Rubbing hair with a towel roughens curls and causes unnecessary frizz. Instead, gently press hair dry with a microfiber towel or an old cotton t-shirt, which is much gentler than a regular towel. Air-drying is often the best option for curls, but if you use a blow dryer, a diffuser and a cooler setting help keep the shape neat and reduce frizz.

Get a cut tailored for curly hair

Curly hair behaves differently than straight hair in the barber’s chair too, so it’s worth choosing a barber who knows how to cut curly hair specifically. A dry cut, where the shape is seen right away in the curl’s natural state, often gives a more precise result than cutting hair wet, since curls can shrink up quite a bit as they dry.

Ask tips for your hair

Every curl is different, so the best way to find a routine that works for you is to ask a professional directly. An experienced barber can assess your curl type and density, and recommend the products and care routine that suit your hair best.