Curly Hair Advice

What's Your Best Advice For Curly Hair?

April 7, 2010

Team Bella gets asked about curly hair conundrums all the time — from questions about going natural to queries about blow-drying technique. We love helping readers out, and we also know that lots of you have great advice, too.

And that's why we're sending out the call for your best curly hair advice. Whether you've got a trick for styling, cutting, or care, we'd love to hear what you have to say in the comments. So come on down and share your knowledge now. We're all bound to learn something new and useful.

44 Comments

2 years 49 weeks

I like Deva Angell, but I'm also looking for a way to make my waves/curls shine. I have thick, coarse and wavy hair. The bottom hair on my head curls and shines, but the top hair lays on my head more wavy than curly and dry. When I was a kid my mom would brush my hair out because she said that there wasn't time to deal with caring for my waves/curls and my six other siblings every morning for school. Thus, I grew up wearing my hair in 'the bob' style or pulled back in a bun. At one point in high school I styled my hair with gel and that encouraged my hair to curl pretty tight. After high school straight hair styles were making there way and so I began to hate my waves again. I bought a hair straightener and wore my hair straight for six years straight. I caused a lot of damage to it. Now I am trying to wear my hair natural. I want more shine, help!!!

amaebi519 3 years 4 weeks

Just wanted to say thanks a billion to all of you! My hair hasn't always been curly, but when parts of it started kinking in my sleep, I decided it was time to deal. My texture is very fine and like narrow sausage curls; super-easy to frizz. Here's the advice I've taken, and have had FANTASTIC hair days with: Every few days I shampoo without sodium lauryl sulfate (author Paula Begoun says laureth is still okay), condition and then rinse out conditioner upside-down while finger-combing. Scrunch in mixture of mousse and serum while wet for hold minus crunch, then use the plopping/plunking technique with an old t-shirt (I watched the videos on the Jessicurl website - very helpful) & leave in while I get dressed and do makeup. Using a diffuser afterwards also worked well. I also use a satin pillowcase and move my hair to the top while I sleep.Thanks again - love the results!

amaebi519 3 years 4 weeks

curLRocker 3 years 5 weeks

it is not at all smart to use any kinds of gels or mousses on a regular basis because they dry your hair out causing FRIZZ! its better to use creams such as the Kiehl's one i mentioned and even garnier frucitis has a good one that i've used

curLRocker 3 years 5 weeks

my regular routine: 1. wash as usual 2. keep conditioner in for an extra few minutes 3. rinse with COLD WATER with head UPSIDE DOWN (this will partially solve the wet=weight problem) 4. DO NOT BRUSH AT ALL after this, not even with fingers 5. scrunch hair gently with an old t-shirt to soak up the water - NEVER, EVER RUB 6. carefully apply KIEHL'S CREME WITH SILK GROOM 7. let air dry / or use diffuser with hair flipped over

curLRocker 3 years 5 weeks

my regular routine:1. wash as usual2. keep conditioner in for an extra few minutes3. rinse with COLD WATER with head UPSIDE DOWN (this will partially solve the wet=weight problem)4. DO NOT BRUSH AT ALL after this, not even with fingers5. scrunch hair gently with an old t-shirt to soak up the water - NEVER, EVER RUB6. carefully apply KIEHL'S CREME WITH SILK GROOM7. let air dry / or use diffuser with hair flipped over

3 years 5 weeks

Forgot to mention, I found my new hairdresser on naturallycurly.com. The site has tons of customer reviews about salons all over the country.

3 years 5 weeks

I have naturally very curly hair. It was a nightmare growing up - I had horrible cuts, crunchy flaky products, flat hair, huge hair, you name it I had it! I used to drive to Ft. Lauderdale (about 4 hours) for Ouidad haircuts and used all of their really expensive products, I never loved how my hair looked, but overall I guess it was ok. I recently found an amazing hairdresser that specializes in curly hair. Her training is in both Deva and Ouidad, but she prefers Deva's technique of cutting hair dry. I have fairly thin hair, but the cut she gave me makes my hair look full and amazing. She also suggested some really great products with no build-up or harsh chemicals that i can buy at CVS or Walgreens - saving me probably about $1,000 a year compared to what I was spending on Ouidad. So here is what I do: Shower: Shampoo (3 times a week) - Daisy Fuentes (for curls and waves) only available at Walgreens or RiteAid Conditioner (everyday) - Suave Naturals Coconut I brush the conditioner through with my fingers and that's all - NO BRUSHING! After Shower: Use Deva Leave-In Conditioner Then use LA Looks Wet Look Gel (I remembered this being disgustingly heavy, but it doesn't weigh down hair at all and gives amazing shine without crunch or flakes) Then I use a mouse without alcohol I found the key is to not use too much product... I then clip my hair on top of my head with a huge claw clip and leave it there while I get ready. Once I am ready to dry, I take it down and absorb all of the excess moisture with a flour sack towel (same idea as old t-shirt). Sam's Club sells huge packs of these for about $15, they are amazing and super absorbent! I blow dry my hair with the Deva hand shaped diffuser, I love it - only takes me about 10 minutes to completely dry my hair and it gives wonderful body and leaves my hair soft and bouncy. Hope that was helpful, the new products and process for styling my hair has been a huge breakthrough for me - my hair looks better than ever and best of all it is easy and inexpensive!!

marascal 3 years 5 weeks

The best advice for curly/wavy hair is to use a cotton towel - NO terrycloth because it makes your hair frizzy. At one salon they even use paper towels to scrunch out moisture after washing. I bought a cotton towel that is like an old worn T-shirt.

username34 3 years 5 weeks

After years of trial and error here is my list: (I am stopped everyday on the street fir my curls)- no brushing only wide comb when in the shower after conditioner- hair mousse when still damp besstt one Matrix Curl Defining expensive but sooo good- hair conditioner bath bodyworks aromatherapy spearmint-conditioner very small just enough to untangle otherwise u loose volume- blowdry with a very weak hair dryer on low setting old ones are the best

username34 3 years 5 weeks

After years of trial and error here is my list: (I am stopped everyday on the street fir my curls) - no brushing only wide comb when in the shower after conditioner - hair mousse when still damp besstt one Matrix Curl Defining expensive but sooo good - hair conditioner bath bodyworks aromatherapy spearmint -conditioner very small just enough to untangle otherwise u loose volume - blowdry with a very weak hair dryer on low setting old ones are the best

ladytron2000 3 years 6 weeks

Reading "Curly Girl" by Lorraine Massey changed my life! I've been SLS free for about 4 years now, stopped chemically relaxing (had been doing it at least once a year since I was 16) and stopped blow drying straight as well.A few of my tips (some may have been mentioned):- I have baby fine curly (some spirals and other fat sausage curls), but I have ALOT of hair as well, so I have to look for products that don't contain silicones and/or are lightweight for my hair type.- Look for a hair stylist that has been certified or specially trained to cut curly hair. Both Ouidad and Lorraine Massey (creator of the Deva line) have training courses and stylists will proudly advertise such certification. (They'll know to cut hair DRY.)- Use a special microfiber towel (there's several on the market today and as cheap as $19 if you want something a little nicer than an "old tee") that's made for sucking up the water from curly hair WITHOUT creating frizz.- Experiment with proteins, oils, silicones, humectants, etc. to find out what works best for YOUR hair type. Not all products are created equal and what works best on your friend's hair may not work on yours.- STAY AWAY FROM ALL SLS. Examine your product labels.- I've learnt now to comb (wide tooth ONLY!) my hair in the shower while applying my conditioner. Now that I've read the upside down trick, I'll do that too! I don't comb my hair again post shower because then I add frizz to the top layers.- Wash once a week and only apply shampoo to the roots, let the shampoo run thru the rest of your hair while you rinse. I'll do a "co-wash" (wash with conditioner) once a week if necessary.- Do a heavy duty conditioning mask at least once a week also. Apply only on ends.

ladytron2000 3 years 6 weeks

Reading "Curly Girl" by Lorraine Massey changed my life! I've been SLS free for about 4 years now, stopped chemically relaxing (had been doing it at least once a year since I was 16) and stopped blow drying straight as well. A few of my tips (some may have been mentioned): - I have baby fine curly (some spirals and other fat sausage curls), but I have ALOT of hair as well, so I have to look for products that don't contain silicones and/or are lightweight for my hair type. - Look for a hair stylist that has been certified or specially trained to cut curly hair. Both Ouidad and Lorraine Massey (creator of the Deva line) have training courses and stylists will proudly advertise such certification. (They'll know to cut hair DRY.) - Use a special microfiber towel (there's several on the market today and as cheap as $19 if you want something a little nicer than an "old tee") that's made for sucking up the water from curly hair WITHOUT creating frizz. - Experiment with proteins, oils, silicones, humectants, etc. to find out what works best for YOUR hair type. Not all products are created equal and what works best on your friend's hair may not work on yours. - STAY AWAY FROM ALL SLS. Examine your product labels. - I've learnt now to comb (wide tooth ONLY!) my hair in the shower while applying my conditioner. Now that I've read the upside down trick, I'll do that too! I don't comb my hair again post shower because then I add frizz to the top layers. - Wash once a week and only apply shampoo to the roots, let the shampoo run thru the rest of your hair while you rinse. I'll do a "co-wash" (wash with conditioner) once a week if necessary. - Do a heavy duty conditioning mask at least once a week also. Apply only on ends.

ehlegirl 3 years 6 weeks

Ouidad, Ouidad, Ouidad. No other product compares for luxurious curly hair and I've tried them all! Deep, shiny, wavy, curly results and no frizz if used as directed. What a find!

KurleeEdna 3 years 6 weeks

I agree with Advah's advice.It's best to stay away from sulfate shampoos as these dry out the curls.It's also good to stay away or limit the use of conditioners / shine serums with silicones (like dimethicone or cyclopentasiloxane) because these will build up on your hair eventually dulling it. (Think floor wax.) Then you'd have to take it out with a harsh shampoo.

KurleeEdna 3 years 6 weeks

I agree with Advah's advice. It's best to stay away from sulfate shampoos as these dry out the curls. It's also good to stay away or limit the use of conditioners / shine serums with silicones (like dimethicone or cyclopentasiloxane) because these will build up on your hair eventually dulling it. (Think floor wax.) Then you'd have to take it out with a harsh shampoo.

Louie 3 years 6 weeks

Crap. Weight = wet.

Louie 3 years 6 weeks

Crap. Weight = wet.

Louie 3 years 6 weeks

#18 - Yeah, while it's still weight. I spray that on first, then put in the mousse and whatever else.It might take a bit of trial and error to get the amount of salt used correct, I usually just chuck it in the bottle without measuring it, anywhere between a teaspoon and a tablespoons' worth. Cheaper than a $20 bottle of product that makes your hair all crunchy!!

Louie 3 years 6 weeks

#18 - Yeah, while it's still weight. I spray that on first, then put in the mousse and whatever else. It might take a bit of trial and error to get the amount of salt used correct, I usually just chuck it in the bottle without measuring it, anywhere between a teaspoon and a tablespoons' worth. Cheaper than a $20 bottle of product that makes your hair all crunchy!!

3 years 6 weeks

great tips, all! hey Louie, when do you use this salt spray, after washing? still wet?

mintz 3 years 6 weeks

i have thin, fine, frizzy hair. oh and LOADS of hair to top it off! i actually don't put that much product in my hair and if i do, THE BEST mousse i have ever used and only use is Graham Webb's Brit Style Moussing Wax. It makes my hair shiny, no frizz whatsoever, nice and flowy, doesn't get hard or flaky. i defffff recommend this product for girlies with curly hair!!! sometimes when i shower before bed, i brush my hair with a wide tooth comb and put that product into my hair. i scrunch it until im content with it and sleep on it. my curls are still there in the morning and my hair looks awesome, i don't have to do anything to it and i can just go on and do my makeup and walk out the door. i also don't wash my hair everyday, i let the natural oils stay in my hair for about 2-3 days.

Louie 3 years 6 weeks

I wash mine every second day, there's no way I could leave mine for a week, it would be disgusting. I comb through conditioned with a wide-tooth comb, but maybe I'll try just my fingers. The best tip ever is to use a homemade salt spray. Just normal table salt, a teaspoon or so, in a spray bottle. It really defines the curls and seperates them more. I use mousse as well and sometimes some curl-defining gel, and I scrunch my hair with a towel to get out all extra moisture.I only ever dry my hair with a difuser, otherwise it doesn't curl properly. I use the low heat setting and bend over so I get more volume. I dry it so it's mostly dry, leave it for 15 minutes or so, then dry it some more.So my two biggest tips are sea-salt spray and a hairdryer with a difuser. Seems to work most of the time, but as I'm sure you all know, curly hair will do what it wants anyway!

Louie 3 years 6 weeks

I wash mine every second day, there's no way I could leave mine for a week, it would be disgusting. I comb through conditioned with a wide-tooth comb, but maybe I'll try just my fingers. The best tip ever is to use a homemade salt spray. Just normal table salt, a teaspoon or so, in a spray bottle. It really defines the curls and seperates them more. I use mousse as well and sometimes some curl-defining gel, and I scrunch my hair with a towel to get out all extra moisture. I only ever dry my hair with a difuser, otherwise it doesn't curl properly. I use the low heat setting and bend over so I get more volume. I dry it so it's mostly dry, leave it for 15 minutes or so, then dry it some more. So my two biggest tips are sea-salt spray and a hairdryer with a difuser. Seems to work most of the time, but as I'm sure you all know, curly hair will do what it wants anyway!

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44 Comments

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