How To Perfect Your Curly Hair Routine And Embrace Your Natural Locks

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How To Perfect Your Curly Hair Routine And Embrace Your Natural Locks

Curating the perfect haircare routine can be a bit of a challenge. And just when you think you’ve found the perfect product combination, in comes the weather to throw you off your game.

Curly hair in particular can be substantially harder to cater to. There are so many mistakes you can make in trying to care for curly hair that sometimes it feels like a higher power is calling the shots on whether your curls will behave or go haywire.

As winter approaches, you’ll no doubt be battling endless frizz, split ends and a scalp dryer than the Sahara desert.

So we’ve created an everyday haircare guide to help you on your way to the perfect curly hair day.

Keep washing to a minimum

Yep, you read that right.

Your hair (or more accurately, your scalp) produces natural oils to keep your strands hydrated and healthy. Washing your hair too much will strip these oils away, leaving your hair prone to damage and breakage.

Washing once or twice a week with a sulphate-free shampoo should do the trick. And if you find your scalp gets a little too oily, add an exfoliating shampoo once a week to remove any buildup of sebum or dirt.

Oh, and don’t skimp on the conditioner — it’s essential to keep your locks looking healthy, feeling nourished and staying protected from the elements.

If you’re feeling like your current wash routine isn’t doing the trick, try TikTok’s go-to curly girl method for frizz-free, healthy curls.

@curlyzia.xo

Here’s my first 2 and half min video & a full tutorial on the new way I’ve been doing the bowl method recently 😊 would love to hear what you think! 💜 #ziasbowlmethod #bowlmethodcurls #clumpingcurls

♬ Paper Birds (3 min) – Jordan Halpern Schwartz

Don’t skip the curl cream

When your hair is freshly washed, apply a generous layer of curl cream. This will hydrate your hair cuticles whilst also clumping your waves together for a natural, beachy curl.

The right curl cream will also smooth your waves and prevent strands from tangling.

Hask Curl Care Curl Defining Cream, $17 at Priceline

Briogeo Curl Charisma, $40 at MECCA

Ditch the brush

Using a brush on curly hair can damage your strands and lead to unwelcome frizz. Opt for a wide-tooth comb instead, and only comb when your hair is wet.

To get rid of stubborn knots, start near the ends of your hair to work out any tangles and then work your way up to the root, one section at a time. You may even want to comb through your conditioner or a weekly mask to make the process easier.

Abyssian Crystal Jade Comb, $56 at Sephora

ghd Detangling Comb, $30 at The Iconic

Masking is a must

Just like you would for your skin, applying a hair mask once a week, or even once a fortnight, is essential to keep your curls bouncy and sleek. 

For deeper hydration, apply your hair mask in the evening following your wash routine and leave it in overnight.

Aveda Be Curly Intensive Detangling Masque, $58 at Adore Beauty

Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Curl Smoothie, $23 at Woolworths

Use a diffuser

If you often end up with a halo of frizz when blow-drying your hair, you’re doing it wrong. A diffuser is essential for drying curly hair and will help tame frizz as well as dry your hair into beautifully-placed curls.

For best results, twist a handful of hair around your finger for definition, then place it into the diffuser and dry on low.

Alternatively, if you’re not into (or just can’t be bothered) blow-drying your hair, try hair plopping. It sounds odd, but throwing your hair up in a cotton t-shirt works wonders for curly hair, helping your locks curl and set — sans the frizz.

Whatever your drying method of choice, avoid towl-drying your hair at all costs. A microfibre towel is another great alternative. Try the Manicare RapiDry Hair Turban ($7.99 at Chemist Warehouse).

@nylonmag

How to plop your hair!! @shakkarwarrior #foryou #fyp #foryoupage

♬ Electric Love – BØRNS

Oil it up

Hair oiling has long been a go-to beauty practice across South Asia. The traditional practice typically happens before taking a shower or going to bed and works by massaging natural oils into the scalp and hair to reduce dryness and boost strength, thickness and shine.

The practice has become commonly known as “hair slugging” on TikTok, and results in some of the shiniest hair we’ve ever seen.

Adding a nourishing hair oil to your weekly curly hair routine offers a great leave-in treatment. Try the slugging trend for even more hydrated and shiny mane.

Wella SP Luxe Oil Reconstructive Elixir Hair Oil, $50 at Adore Beauty

Olaplex No 7 Bonding Oil, $54 at Adore Beauty

Main image credit: @emmy

Do you have curly hair? What’s your curly hair routine?

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Comments 46

  1. Mine is more wavy with a few curls here and there, I follow most of these steps but use products without silicones, I agree hydration is a must – dry hair equals straight hair for me.

  2. My hair is thick and curly and yet when I use products like hair creams and oils it still comes out looking puffy and frizzy. That’s why I don’t bother leaving my hair curly anymore

  3. Ok have had curly hair before but didn’t like it all and go as far as trying Home Hair Straightening Kits, also using Growth Bomb Hair Care Products my hair is so much thicker and is starting to grow back. So very Happy, hopefully after Winter is Over I will be able to get a Short Bob hairstyle once again.

  4. I have curly hair. I’ve been experimenting with shampooing fortnightly but ive seen an increase of dandruff. So I’m back to shampooing once a week and lots of conditioner during and after the shower, and after the shower hair serum & curl cream

  5. I have wavy hair. I’ve been exploring different avenues regarding shampooing fortnightly yet ive seen an increment of dandruff. So I’m back to shampooing one time each week and heaps of conditioner during and after the shower, and after the shower hair serum and twist cream

  6. While you could get the desire to scrunch and cushion, hold off until your twists are totally dry. When it is, take your fingers and shake your twists at the root, move around it about, to give you volume and level.