How to Style Naturally Curly Hair: Expert Hair Tips

28 October 2021 | Curly Hair

You might resent your curly hair from time to time, but when you perfect your styling technique, it all becomes worth it as you look in the mirror at those jaw-dropping locks.

Since you’re here, you might be having some difficulties refining your styling routine. But not to worry, you’ve just found a gold-mine of curly hair advice! So hang in there whilst we take you through how to style naturally curly hair.

 

How to style naturally curly hair at home

  1. Use a keratin shampoo and conditioner

First and foremost, never neglect washing your hair! An oily scalp along with oily roots is the perfect formula for flat hair with no volume, which is most definitely not what we want to achieve. That being said, your naturally curly hair should be washed around once a week.

You’ll also want to style your hair every time you wash it, as styling just simply won’t work on dry hair. To wash your hair, you’ll want to take a shampoo and conditioner that is made for curly hair.

We recommend using a keratin shampoo and conditioner if you want to go for a smoother, more relaxed look. Keratin will tame any frizz and flyaways whilst enhancing your natural curl texture, so definitely one to consider if you struggle with styling.

Alternatively, Davines have an unreal curl enhancing shampoo and conditioner that gives your curls more elasticity to bring out your natural beauty. You can pick up your own bottles in the salon!

At Tierney Salons, our curly-haired clients love our nano-keratin treatments. This is a long-lasting alternative to a keratin shampoo, with even better results!

 

  1. Use a microfiber towel or t-shirt to towel-dry your hair

As soon as you step out of the shower, do NOT go anywhere near cotton towels. In fact, just throw them all out at this point.

Cotton hair towels are pretty rough on any hair type, but especially curly hair. They can cause friction with your curls which is a recipe for disaster. You’ll end up with frizzy, less defined curls if you towel dry with this.

Instead, go in your wardrobe and grab an old t-shirt. Funnily enough, t-shirt material will absorb all the liquid out of your hair without taking away a lot of the moisture. This helps to keep those curl clumps together to give you those bouncy and defined curls you’ve been dreaming of.

If you want to be extra fancy, you can invest in a microfiber towel which does the same thing!

 

  1. Use a leave-in conditioner

Being a curly-haired person, you have probably heard time and time again that your hair needs moisture. We’re sorry that you’re probably hearing this for the one-hundredth time, but moisture is just SO important in order to take care of your curls.

You see, curly hair is a lot more porous than other hair types. This means that it can dry out a lot more quickly than other hair types, which can leave it susceptible to breakage and damage.

To combat this, leave-in conditioners are necessary to add that extra moisture that your hair is craving. Our top tip is to use little bits of product at a time, and work it into your hair starting from the ends. Never go right to the root, as this will flatten it and won’t give much volume.

The Davines Love Curls range has a fabulous leave-in conditioner that will both enhance and control your curls. Again, you can come and grab your own bottle at Tierney Salons in Hertford.

Woman styling naturally curly hair in mirror

  1. Add hair oils to lock in moisture

Our next curly hair tip will ensure that the moisture you have just added with your leave-in conditioner stays put. Hair oils are great for this as they trap the moisture into your hair for longer lasting results, meaning you likely won’t have to add much more product between washes.

 

  1. Use a wide toothed comb or denman brush for detangling

Before we get into which brush you should be using, listen up: NEVER brush your curly hair when it is completely dry. You’ll always want to detangle your hair when it’s damp to avoid ruining your curl pattern.

Now that we’ve made that clear, let’s talk brushes. There are a few brush options out there, and the first is a wide tooth comb. This is great for all textures, as it can detangle curls without pulling or snagging at the root.

You could also use a Denman brush. These can also be used to detangle the hair, but they are better for getting your curl clumps and forming those gorgeous ringlet shapes.

It all really comes down to personal preference, and what works best for you. Our top tip when brushing your curls is to brush away from the roots, rather than pulling the hair down. This will add extra volume once it’s dry!

 

  1. Scrunch your favourite mousse into your hair

Hair mousse is your best friend to not only define your curls, but keep them intact. Having said this, your instinct might be to grab a huge dollop and drag a whole bottle of mousse through your hair.

However, dragging is going to flatten your curls and ruin the curl pattern. Instead, take a ball of mousse (probably around the size of an egg) and scrunch it into your hair, starting at the roots. You’ll want to repeat this 2 more times, but instead focusing on the mid lengths and ends.

By the end, you should have scrunched your mousse all over your hair.

Our favourite Davines hair mousses for curly hair really depend on what your hair needs most. If you need a bit more moisture, we recommend the This is a Curl Moisturising Mousse. Alternatively, if you love your hair having some extra oomph, try the This a Volume Boosting Mousse.

 

  1. Let your hair dry naturally or use a diffuser

This next step really comes down to preference. Now that you’ve added hair mousse, you can just leave your hair to dry naturally. This method is best if you want a super natural, lived in look that enhances your hair texture.

However, if you are in a rush or simply prefer a more put-together look, then you can use a hair diffuser.

To dry your hair with a diffuser, you’ll firstly want to wait around 10 minutes after you have finished applying your styling products. Then, put your diffuser on low heat and start to use it in circular motions on the root area.

As you work your way around your head and to your roots, you can lightly shake the diffuser to separate your curl clumps.

 

  1. Shake it off!

Now that your hair is dry, you can begin separating your curls. The first step is to lightly shake your hair to remove any curl clumps.

Now this is the important step that can really change your look. Gently pull apart your curl clumps with your fingers. Generally the more pieces you pull apart, the more voluminous your curls are going to look. Try and make sure every piece is even for a refined style.

And finally, for that extra volume, take your hands onto your roots and lightly shake. This is going to amplify that volume even more for a stunning finish.

 

Summary: How to style naturally curly hair

  1. Use a keratin shampoo and conditioner
  2. Use a microfiber towel or t-shirt to towel-dry your hair
  3. Use a leave-in conditioner
  4. Add hair oils to lock in moisture
  5. Use a wide toothed comb or denman brush for detangling
  6. Scrunch your favourite mousse into your hair
  7. Let your hair dry naturally or use a diffuser
  8. Shake it off!

 

Styling naturally curly hair at Tierney Salons Hertford

At Tierney Salons, we know it can be tricky for our curly-haired friends to find hairdressers that specialise in curls and texture. But here in Hertford, we love curls and welcome all hair types!

Our Salon Director, Jason, is a specialist in cutting, styling and drying curly hair, so you’re in safe hands.

So, if you’re looking for some help to enhance those gorgeous curls, you’ll find Tierney Salons in Hertford. Take a look at our services, or contact us if there’s anything we can do for you.