If you have curly hair, you already know the deal. One day your curls bounce like they belong in a shampoo ad, and the next day they look like they fought a pillow and lost. I’ve lived this life for years, tested way too many products, ignored advice I shouldn’t have, and learned some tricks the hard way. So grab a coffee, friend, because I’m about to spill everything that actually works for curls—no gatekeeping, no fluff.
1. Learn Your Curl Type (Yes, It Matters)
I ignored curl typing for years because it sounded extra. Big mistake. Once I figured out my curl pattern, my entire routine finally made sense.
Your curl type affects:
How much moisture you need
Which styling products work best
How often you should wash
Ever wondered why your friend swears by a cream that turns your hair into a greasy mess? Curl type explains that mystery real fast.
2. Stop Washing Your Hair Every Day
Daily washing strips natural oils, and curls depend on those oils to survive. I learned this after my hair started resembling dry ramen noodles.
Aim for:
2–3 washes per week
A gentle, sulfate-free shampoo
A solid refresh routine between washes
Your scalp will adjust, I promise. The greasy phase doesn’t last forever.
3. Condition Like It’s Your Job
Curly hair loves conditioner. Actually, it needs conditioner. I never skip this step, even on lazy days.
Focus on:
Mid-lengths to ends
Letting conditioner sit for at least 2–3 minutes
Detangling while the hair feels slippery
IMO, skipping conditioner ranks right up there with skipping sunscreen. Just don’t.
4. Detangle Only When Wet
Dry detangling curls invites chaos. I tried it once and immediately regretted my life choices.
Detangle when:
Hair stays soaking wet
Conditioner coats every strand
You use fingers or a wide-tooth comb
Why break curls before they even get a chance?
5. Use a Microfiber Towel or Cotton T-Shirt
Regular towels rough up curl cuticles and cause frizz. I swapped mine years ago and never looked back.
Better options include:
Microfiber towels
Old cotton T-shirts
Gentle scrunching instead of rubbing
FYI, this tiny switch makes a massive difference.
6. Apply Products on Soaking Wet Hair
Water helps products spread evenly. I apply styling products before my hair even thinks about drying.
This method:
Locks in moisture
Defines curls better
Reduces frizz long-term
Ever wondered why your curls fall flat by noon? Timing matters.
7. Layer Products in the Right Order
Order changes everything. I wasted years mixing products randomly like a mad scientist.
Stick to this order:
Leave-in conditioner
Curl cream
Gel or mousse
Each layer seals the one before it. Simple, effective, drama-free.
8. Don’t Skip Gel (Even If You Hate It)
I avoided gel because crunchy curls scared me. Turns out, I used it wrong.
Use gel to:
Hold curl shape
Reduce frizz
Protect curls while drying
Once your hair dries, scrunch out the crunch. Magic happens every time.
9. Diffuse or Air-Dry Strategically
I love air-drying, but I diffuse when I need volume. Both options work if you do them right.
For diffusing:
Use low heat
Use low airflow
Flip hair gently
Rushing this step ruins definition faster than humidity ever could.
10. Sleep Like a Curl Queen
Nighttime wrecks curls if you ignore protection. I learned that lesson after waking up with frizz crowns.
Protect curls with:
Silk or satin pillowcases
Pineapple method
Satin bonnets
Why let eight hours undo all your hard work?
11. Refresh, Don’t Rewash
Between wash days, refreshing saves time and sanity. I refresh more than I wash.
Easy refresh ideas:
Water + leave-in spray
Light curl cream
Scrunch and go
Your curls don’t need a full reset every time.
12. Deep Condition Weekly
Deep conditioning changed my curl game completely. I schedule it like self-care because it is self-care.
Benefits include:
Stronger curls
Better elasticity
Less breakage
If your curls feel tired, they probably need moisture, not scissors.
13. Clarify When Products Stop Working
Product buildup sneaks up quietly. One day everything works, and the next day nothing does.
Clarify when:
Curls look dull
Hair feels coated
Products stop performing
Use a clarifying shampoo once a month, not weekly.
14. Trim Regularly (Even If You’re Growing Hair)
I avoided trims because I wanted length. My curls looked limp and uneven.
Trims help:
Maintain curl shape
Remove split ends
Boost volume
Healthy ends grow better. That’s not a myth.
15. Avoid Touching Your Hair While It Dries
Hands cause frizz. Period. I still struggle with this one.
Leave curls alone until:
Hair dries completely
Gel cast forms
You scrunch at the end
Patience pays off every single time.
16. Embrace Frizz (A Little)
Perfect curls don’t exist in real life. I stopped chasing them, and my hair looked better instantly.
Frizz means:
Your hair has volume
Your curls have movement
Your hair feels alive
Control frizz, don’t erase it.
17. Listen to Your Hair, Not Trends
Trends change fast. Your curls don’t. I tried viral routines that wrecked my hair.
Pay attention to:
How your hair feels
How it reacts to products
What works consistently
Your curls tell you everything if you listen.
Final Thoughts
Curly hair rewards patience, consistency, and a little humor when things go sideways. These 17 curly hair tricks every girl should know didn’t just improve my curls—they saved my sanity. Try a few, tweak what you need, and trust the process. Your curls already have personality. You just need to work with them, not against them.
