A good curly hair routine is built on moisture and gentle handling: wash gently, detangle when wet, apply product to soaking-wet hair and let the curls dry without touching them. We choose the right products together in the salon, because every head of curls is different.
1. Wash gently
Curly hair is drier than straight hair, because the scalp's natural oils struggle to travel down a curl. So don't wash more often than you need to, and choose a mild, sulphate-free shampoo.
Massage your scalp and let the shampoo run through the lengths as you rinse. There's no need to rub the lengths.
2. Moisturise every time
Conditioner isn't optional for curls. Work it into the lengths and detangle with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb while it's in. This is the moment to detangle, in wet hair – never when your hair is dry.
Give your hair a treatment or mask about once a week, more often if it's coloured or feels dry.
3. Apply product to wet hair
The most common mistake is towel-drying first. Instead, apply your styling product while your hair is still soaking wet. That way it spreads evenly and the curls clump into defined sections.
Then scrunch the hair upwards towards the scalp with your hands. You should hear a little squelch – that means it's wet enough.
4. Dry gently
Swap your terry towel for a microfibre towel or a cotton T-shirt and squeeze out the water. Don't rub – that creates frizz.
Let your hair air-dry or use a diffuser on low heat. Most important of all: don't touch the curls while they dry. Once your hair is completely dry you can shake it loose at the roots for more volume.
5. Refresh on day two
You don't need to wash your hair every day. Lightly dampen the curls with water, scrunch them again and let them dry. Sleeping with your hair loosely tied up or on a silk pillowcase helps the shape last longer.
Common mistakes
Brushing hair when it's dry. It pulls the curls apart into a cloud of frizz.
Using too little product, or applying it to half-dry hair. Curls need product to hold together, and the product needs water to spread.
Touching your hair while it dries. Every time you run your fingers through a half-dry curl, it splits.
Using too much heat. Low heat and a little patience give better curls than a hot hairdryer.
When your curls still won't cooperate
Sometimes you do everything right and your hair still ends up flat or straggly. Often the cut has grown out, or the hair has had too much of something – product build-up weighing it down, or damaged ends.
Start by giving your hair one thorough wash to remove build-up. If that doesn't help, it's probably time for a cut.
The season plays a part too. In winter curls need more moisture, in summer more protection from sun and salt water. It's completely normal for your routine to need adjusting a couple of times a year.
The right products for your curls
Fine, loose waves and tight corkscrews need completely different things. That's why I don't recommend the same product to everyone.
When you're in the salon we go through your hair and choose an Oribe routine that suits it – and I show you how to use it. Read more about the range under Oribe, and about the cut itself in my article on cutting curly hair.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I wash curly hair?
For most people, once or twice a week is enough. If your scalp feels greasy sooner, you can wash just the scalp and leave the lengths alone.
Why are my curls frizzy?
Usually it comes down to too little moisture or too much handling while the hair dries. More conditioner, product in wet hair and hands off while drying solve a lot.
Can I brush curly hair?
Not when it's dry. Detangle with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb when it's wet and has conditioner in it.