A curly hair routine is built around two ideas: moisture and gentle handling. The bends in a curl make it hard for scalp oil to travel down the strand, so curly hair is naturally drier than straight hair. The same bends are weak points where hair can break. Treat curls kindly and they reward you with shape and shine.
How curly hair behaves
- Curls form loops and spirals, from loose ringlets to tight corkscrews.
- Hair looks much shorter dry than wet. This shrinkage is normal.
- Dryness and frizz are the usual complaints.
- Curls tangle easily and break if brushed dry.
Wash day, step by step
1. Cleanse
Wash the scalp with a gentle, moisturizing shampoo. Many people with curls wash once or twice a week. Some use a cleansing conditioner ("co-wash") for some washes. If you do, still use shampoo regularly so that the scalp stays clean.
2. Condition and detangle
Apply plenty of conditioner. With the conditioner in, detangle using your fingers or a wide-tooth comb, starting at the ends and working up. Never force a knot. How to Detangle Hair Gently explains the method in detail.
3. Rinse
Rinse most of the conditioner out. Leaving a little in is fine for very dry curls.
4. Apply stylers to soaking wet hair
Work in sections so that every curl is coated.
- Leave-in conditioner for moisture.
- Curl cream for softness and definition.
- Gel or mousse for hold.
Smooth each product over the hair with flat palms, then scrunch upwards.
5. Remove excess water
Scrunch with a cotton T-shirt or microfibre towel. You can also "plop": lay the T-shirt flat, lower your curls onto it, and wrap it around your head for 10 to 20 minutes.
6. Dry
Let the hair dry in the air, or use a diffuser on low heat and low speed. Do not touch the curls until they are fully dry. Then scrunch gently to soften any stiffness from the gel.
Product guide
| Step | Purpose | Lighter option | Richer option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleanser | Clean scalp | Gentle shampoo | Co-wash between shampoos |
| Conditioner | Moisture and slip | Light rinse-out | Deep conditioner weekly |
| Leave-in | Lasting moisture | Spray or milk | Cream |
| Styler | Definition and hold | Mousse, light gel | Curl cream plus gel |
Fine curls need lighter products. Thick, coarse curls can take richer ones. Curl Cream vs Hair Gel: Hold, Texture, and Finish compares curl cream and gel, and Hair Porosity: What It Is and Why It Matters explains how porosity changes what your hair needs.
Between wash days
- Refresh: mist with water, add a little leave-in or gel to frizzy sections and scrunch.
- Protect at night: gather hair loosely on top of your head (the "pineapple") with a soft scrunchie, and sleep on a satin pillowcase or in a satin bonnet.
- Hands off: touching curls separates them and causes frizz.
Weekly and monthly care
- Use a deep conditioner or mask once a week if your curls are dry.
- Use a clarifying shampoo every few weeks if products build up.
- Trim regularly. Many stylists cut curls dry so they can see the shape.
Protecting curls from damage
- Limit hot tools and always use a heat protectant.
- Be careful with bleach and chemical straightening, which weaken curls.
- Avoid tight styles that pull at the hairline.
- Detangle only when wet and conditioned.
Common mistakes
- Brushing dry curls.
- Rubbing with a rough towel.
- Using too little conditioner.
- Applying stylers to hair that has started to dry.
- Changing the whole routine at once, which makes it hard to know what helped.
If your pattern is looser, see Wavy Hair Routine: Washing, Styling, and Frizz Care. For very tight coils, see Coily Hair Routine: Moisture, Detangling, and Styling. To confirm your type, use How to Find Your Hair Type.
Related on ArniSun
- How to Find Your Hair Type
- Coily Hair Routine: Moisture, Detangling, and Styling
- How to Detangle Hair Gently
- Curl Cream vs Hair Gel: Hold, Texture, and Finish
- Hair Porosity: What It Is and Why It Matters
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
How often should curly hair be washed?
Once or twice a week suits many people with curls. Wash more often if your scalp is oily or flaky.
Do I have to avoid sulfates and silicones?
No. These rules help some people and are unnecessary for others. If your hair feels dry, try a gentler shampoo. If it feels coated, clarify. Judge by how your own hair responds.
Why do my curls look different every day?
Humidity, how wet your hair was when you applied products, how much you touched it and how you slept all change the result. Some variation is normal.