Hair concern · 10 steps · 2 min read · Updated 29 October 2026

How to care for curly hair?

Curly hair is naturally drier than straight hair because scalp oils struggle to travel down a spiral. Curls also tangle more and lose definition when they are handled roughly or dried the wrong way. A good routine is mostly about moisture and minimal disturbance:

01
Wash with a Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Sulfates strip the natural oils curls rely on. Use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo on the scalp only, and let the suds rinse through the lengths. Most curly types wash once or twice a week.
02
Try Co-Washing Between Shampoos
A cleansing conditioner (co-wash) refreshes curls without foaming agents. Massage it into the scalp with your fingertips, leave it for a minute and rinse well.
03
Detangle While Wet, With Conditioner In
Never brush dry curls. Load the hair with conditioner in the shower and detangle from the ends up with a wide-tooth comb or your fingers. Rinse with cool water to seal the cuticle.
04
Apply Products to Soaking-Wet Hair
Leave-in conditioner first, then a curl cream or gel. Rake products through with your fingers, then scrunch upwards towards the scalp. Wet application keeps clumps together and reduces frizz.
05
Scrunch Out Water with a Microfibre Towel or T-Shirt
Standard towels rough up the cuticle. Gently squeeze sections with a microfibre towel or a cotton t-shirt, or plop the hair into it for 10 to 20 minutes.
06
Diffuse on Low Heat, Low Speed
If you dry with heat, use a diffuser on the lowest settings. Cup sections into the bowl and hold still rather than moving the dryer around. Air-drying works too; just do not touch the hair until it is fully dry.
07
Scrunch Out the Cast
Gel dries into a crunchy cast that protects the curl pattern while it sets. Once the hair is completely dry, scrunch gently with a drop of oil in your palms to break the cast and reveal soft, defined curls.
08
Refresh on Day Two and Three
Mist curls with water or a diluted leave-in, scrunch, and let them dry. A little curl cream on the ends tames stragglers without a full re-wash.
09
Sleep on Silk or Satin
Cotton pillowcases absorb moisture and create friction. A silk pillowcase or bonnet, or a loose "pineapple" on top of the head, keeps curls intact overnight.
10
Get a Curl-Specific Cut
Ask for a dry cut by a stylist who works with curls. Cutting curl by curl in its natural state avoids the uneven lengths and triangle shape that a standard wet cut can leave.

Before you go

Curls change with the weather, hormones and products, so expect a little trial and error. If your curls feel mushy and limp you may need protein; if they feel dry and brittle you may need more moisture. Alternate a protein treatment and a deep-moisture mask every few weeks to keep the balance.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I wash curly hair?

Most people with wavy to curly hair wash once or twice a week, and tighter coils even less. Co-wash or rinse with water in between to refresh without stripping moisture.

Why are my curls frizzy instead of defined?

Common causes are brushing dry hair, applying products to damp rather than wet hair, rough towel drying and touching curls before they are completely dry. Fix those four and definition usually improves within a few washes.

Do I need gel or just cream?

Cream adds moisture and softness; gel adds hold and fights humidity. Fine or wavy hair often does well with a light gel alone, while thicker curls usually like cream followed by gel.