How to Manage Curly Hair: Tips and Best Products.
Managing curly hair is truly a journey. With the right routine and carefully chosen products, your curls can be healthy, defined, and bouncy every day. Whether your hair is fine, medium, or thick, the key foundation is a clean slate and optimal moisture. Let’s dive into the ultimate guide that combines all our top tips and product recommendations for gorgeous curls.
1. The Foundation: Clean and Moisturized
Cleanse for a Fresh Start
A thorough cleanse is the first step toward vibrant curls. Heavy products—serums, oils, and even most shampoos—can leave behind residue that prevents your hair from absorbing water, its primary source of moisture. This is why a clarifying shampoo is essential.
Why We Love the OUAI Detox Shampoo
Our top pick, the OUAI Detox Shampoo, uses apple cider vinegar to remove product buildup, dirt, and hard water minerals, while keratin helps strengthen your strands. Its gentle chelating agents and sulfate-free formula balance your scalp’s pH and restore volume, bounce, and shine.
Discover OUAI Detox Shampoo →
Deep Condition with a Tailored Mask
After cleansing, replenish moisture by using a deep conditioner or mask suited to your hair texture. Fine curls and thick curls have different needs, so choose a mask that targets your specific density and hair needs. (We’ll explore our top deep conditioner picks in a future post.)
2. Detangling: The Right Way
Detangling is critical to avoid breakage and keep your curls healthy. Always detangle while your hair is still wet and saturated with conditioner or mask. Start at the ends and work your way up, gently easing out knots rather than tugging from the roots. Keep in mind your hair is at it’s most fragile state when its wet making breakage much easier. Be gentle.
Must-Have Detangling Tools
The Bounce Curl Brush 5-in-1 Tool is a salon favourite that detangles in the shower and styles your curls to reduce frizz. This brush is a game changer for a few reasons. The soft bristles make sure your cuticle is closed and product is evenly distributed. The ridges on the end give you perfect curl definition every single time.
If you’re on a budget, we’ve found a great Amazon dupe that gets the job done—although its bristles and edges are slightly stiffer it will still get the job done.
Check Out the Affordable Dupe →
Bounce Curl Brush
This revolutionary curl defining brush is hands down worth the investment. It’s one thing every curly girl needs to have.
Shop here
3. Defining and Styling: Products for Every Texture
Once your curls are clean and detangled, it’s time to bring them to life with the right styling products. Here’s how to choose what works best:
Fine Hair: Use a light serum paired with a mousse to define without weighing down your curls.
Medium Hair: Opt for a water-based leave-in cream with a curl defining cream for balanced moisture and hold.
Thick Hair: Start with a moisturizing water-based leave-in, then seal with a defining cream or gel to lock in shape.
Creating a “cast” around your curls with these products enhances definition and minimizes frizz. For an even distribution of product and extra definition, our favorite tool is the Bounce Curl Defining Brush [link above].
4. Drying Techniques for Gorgeous Curls
How you dry your curls can impact their overall look:
Air Drying: Ideal for super frizzy textures, letting your curls set naturally.
Diffusing: Perfect for added volume and a fluffy finish.
Silk Bonnet Method: Scrunch your curls into a silk bonnet as they dry. The gentle heat from your head speeds up drying, while the bonnet helps maintain volume and reduce frizz.
5. Perfecting Your Curls: Extra Definition Tools
For those moments when you need a little extra help to polish your curls, consider these finishing touches:
Bubble Wand for Added Volume
If you’re not quite getting the curl definition you desire, a bubble wand can be a game changer. This unique shaped wand easily replicates a more natural curl pattern.
Hair Forensic Vertigo Bubble Wand
For those looking for a premium option with lasting results. These irons hold up in the long run.
MOCEMTRY 5-in-1 Curling Iron
If you’re looking for an all-in-one set that’s a great value we love this Mocemtry 5-in-1 curling wand set. You’ll get the bubble wand, triple barrel iron and three different sized wands (including a small barrel great for smaller curl patterns).
Finishing Touches: Hold and Shine
Lock in your style with a light-to-medium hold hairspray that won’t leave your curls crunchy. You can go in with either or both of these sprays before you use the curling wand for extra lasting hold. You can follow up with either or both of these sprays afterwards to add volume and add hold.
Kenra Perfect Medium Spray: Offers flexible hold and keeps your curls in place without residue.
Shop Kenra Perfect Medium Spray →AG Firewall Spray: A multi-tasking shine spray, serum, and heat protectant that’s perfect for day 2 or 3 curls, keeping them hydrated and glossy.
Shop AG Firewall Spray →
6. Nighttime Curl Care: Protect and Preserve
Now that you have flawless curls you’ll want to make sure this lasts at lease a couple days. Protecting your curls overnight is crucial. Essentially, you have two options.
Silk Bonnet: Gently gather your hair into a silk bonnet to minimize friction and keep your curls intact as you sleep. This is a great option for curlies wanting to keep your volume.
Shop the Silk Bonnet →Silk Pillowcase: Not a fan of bonnets? A silk pillowcase is an excellent alternative to reduce frizz and preserve your style. These make such a big difference in preserving your curls (and your blow outs).
Adubor Silk Pillowcase
Made of 100% pure mulberry silk, this pillowcase helps preserve curls and prevent breakage. Shop here
On day two or three, a light mist of water can help refresh and restyle your curls. If you’re finding your curls lack volume or shape, it might be time for a trim to snip away those dead ends. Remember, curly hair is a journey—the longer you embrace it, the easier the process becomes and the happier your curls will be!
Final Thoughts
With a comprehensive routine—from cleansing and deep conditioning to precise detangling, styling, and nighttime care—you can achieve defined, bouncy, and healthy curls every day. Managing curly hair may take time, but with the right products and techniques, every curl can shine.
If you’re just starting your curly hair journey or need expert advice, consider booking an appointment with a curly hair specialist. Looking for a curly hair specialist in Toronto? Book with Beni at Blunt Hair Co. →
For more tips, product reviews, and the latest on curl care trends, subscribe to our blog and never miss an update. Your curls deserve the best, and we’re here to help you every step of the way!