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Anyone with a natural curl pattern knows that there’s no universal answer to the question of how to style curly hair. Each head of curls is unique and deserves its own consideration (and customized product lineup). That said, a few best practices for styling curly hair are helpful across the board. And who better to ask for tips than professional hairstylists who find multiple curl types in their chairs every day?
Styling processes for curly hair can take a little extra technique and patience, but the results are versatile, long-lasting, and totally worth the effort. “I think having the choice to switch up your look is really special,” Olivia Renee, curl specialist and professional hairstylist at East West Salon Co, tells Glamour. Whether you’re maximizing your curls’ definition or prioritizing loose, bouncy movement, “you’re able to manipulate curly hair into what you want it to be, and it can be fun to experiment with your look,” she says.
From the Curly Girl Method to T-shirt plopping techniques, there’s no shortage of viral curl styling hacks to to pull from your TikTok feed. It may take a little trial and error to find your perfect method, but everyone can start with a foundation that supports healthy curls and prevents hair damage. Below, pro stylists share their best tips for styling curls of every kind.
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How should you prep curly hair for styling?
“It’s best to properly cleanse the scalp and hydrate the hair,” Shai Amiel, a celebrity hairstylist known as The Curl Doctor, tells Glamour. Amiel says that your hair should be still be wet when you apply styling products: “Their purpose is to lock in the definition from the water; the products are not meant to create curl definition by themselves,” he says.
To maximize your styling sessions, using a clarifying shampoo every four or five washes helps to “remove product buildup and any other residue that could be prohibiting curls from being their best selves,” Hana Chong at NYC The Team hair salon by Michelle Hong previously told Glamour.
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What products should everyone with curly hair have on hand for styling?
Renee recommends that all her curly clients invest in three essential products for everyday styling: a leave-in conditioner to lock in moisture, a curl cream, and a choice of mousse or high-definition gel—“depending on the type of look or hold that they want their hair to have throughout the day or week.” Her favorites include the Rose Bomb Leave-In from The Potion Studio and the Crunchless Ultra Hold Gel from All About Curls. Amiel advises prioritizing water soluble products in your lineup. He reaches for Innersense’s Quiet Calm Curl Control to add hydration before applying gel.
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What common mistakes do people make when styling curls?
Proper detangling before adding styling products is a must, and Amiel and Renee both advise against attempting to style dry curls. “I always preach to make sure the hair is wet to ensure your hair absorbs the product, and to prevent frizz,” Renee says. According to Amiel, you should generally avoid brushing through dry curls, unless you’re deliberately adding body; if so, fight the urge to tear through your tangles.
Applying products too close to the root area can weigh down your hair and might make volume more difficult to achieve, Renee says. Additionally, she points out that excess product around the hair’s part can sometimes make clean hair look greasy.
Renee says that many of her clients have been told never to use a tool to detangle soaking-wet hair, but she disagrees. “I believe that as long as you're gentle with your hair, using a brush or comb can help ensure proper saturation to every curl, and help to define your curl pattern,” she says. She recommends investing in a quality detangling brush, like Framar’s Vent Brush; this choice works great on wet hair, it’s easy to clean after brushing through product, and it doesn’t store excess moisture.
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How can you prevent damage when styling curly hair?
Properly caring for your curls while they’re wet is key to protecting them. After washing and gently detangling your hair, Renee advises wringing your curls out gently instead of rubbing or creating friction with a towel. “Forcing your curls to dry stretched out is very damaging,” Amiel says. He notes that pulling wet hair into ponytails, buns, or braids, and overusing hot styling techniques (round-brush blowouts, flatirons, or roller sets) won’t “allow your curls to shrink as they do naturally” and can lead to damage and loss of definition over time.
When teaching clients how to style curly hair, Renee also advocates for minimizing heat as much as possible but suggests a diffuser when needed to speed up the drying process. Even with a diffuser, use a heat protectant and low heat, she says, and hover your hair over the tool whenever possible. Additionally, Renee says to avoid going to bed with wet hair; to sleep with a satin or silk hair bonnet at night to prevent frizz and breakage; and to moderate “super-tight hairstyles,” which cause tension and could lead to hair loss over time.
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How should you style your curls on a nonwashday?
If you’ve made it this far, you already know that wet hair is the ideal styling condition for curls. But dousing your head every day isn’t always realistic, and sometimes you just need a quick touch-up. Amiel still advises partially wetting your curls in this case, even if it’s just a light mist of water from a spray bottle before adding more product. For a little added moisture and protection, Renee recommends using a continuous spray bottle of water mixed with a lightweight leave-in.
“The best way to revive day-old curls is with moisture,” Amiel says. “Turn on your hot water in your shower, and allow your hair to absorb the steam. Wet your palms to smooth down the flyaways, and allow hair to dry naturally.” For quick touch ups, like smoothing a flyaway on a sleek updo, hair spray or gel can sub in.
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When tackling everyday hairstyles for curls, Renee advises working with your curls du jour rather than battling them. “It’s all about product prep and what my client’s hair needs are in the moment,” she says. “I’m utilizing more hairspray and or texturizing products for up styles. For worn-down looks, I’d definitely utilize a moisturizer as well as mousse for volume and touchable hold, and gel for extra hold if needed.”
Grace McCarty is the associate beauty editor at Glamour.
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