How to Boost Your Curls

Last Updated: October 31, 2022 References

Love it or hate it, your curly hair is a part of who you are. You may want to maximize the fun, springy look of your curls. With the right care, you can begin defining your curls without weighing down or drying out your style.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Washing Curly Hair

1
Shampoo every third time you shower. Preserve your hair's natural moisture by conditioning every time you shower, but only shampooing every third time. This technique works best for restoring life in coarse, dry, thick hair.^{[1]
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- Strive to use curl-enhancing hydrating conditioners when you wash.^{[2]
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2
Try co-washing. Co-washing is when you wash your hair with conditioner instead of shampoo. This is something that many people with curly hair do because it helps to control frizz. Conditioners contain small amounts of detergents that remove dirt from your hair, but the result is hair that is much softer and smoother than hair that has been shampooed.^{[3]
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- Try replacing your regular shampoo with conditioner and see how you like the results.
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3
Use sulfate-free shampoo. Sulfate-free shampoos are gentler on your hair and they help to prevent frizz. Sodium lauryl sulfate, a key ingredient in most traditional shampoos, is harsh on curls.^{[4]
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Research source} Look for shampoos that have argan oil or coconut oil instead. Argan oil is particularly effective at preventing heat damage, as the oil is absorbed by dry hair to prevent it from becoming too brittle.^{[5]
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4
Massage your products into your hair. Moving in a circular motion, use your fingertips to gently massage your scalp. Let the water rinse out your hair, and avoid aggressively scrubbing your hair at any point so you don't disrupt your curl pattern.^{[6]
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5
Avoid rubbing your hair with a towel. When you step out of the shower, it will be tempting to just fluff up your curls with a quick rub. Instead, pat your hair with the towel to leave a touch of moisture without disrupting your natural curl pattern.^{[7]
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- Use a microfiber towel for drying your hair. These are much gentler than cotton towels.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Styling Tools and Techniques

1
Use a wide-toothed comb when you brush. Using a wide-toothed comb or your fingers, as opposed to a traditional bristle brush, can be a great way to preserve natural curls without damaging or breaking your hair.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Madeleine Johnson
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 18 December 2019.}
- If you have coarse, tightly curled hair, always brush and detangle your hair when it is wet or damp. Apply some conditioner to your hair first and then use a wide tooth comb or your fingers to detangle it.
- Do not try to detangle your hair when it is dry. Brushing tightly curled hair when it is dry will lead to frizz and, potentially, breakage. Looser curls can be brushed dry or wet before and during cleaning sessions.^{[9]
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2
Brush from the tips to the roots. Brushing from the roots down can result in breakage in curly hair, so always start at the ends of your hair and brush toward your scalp.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Madeleine Johnson
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 18 December 2019.}
3
Attach a diffuser to your blowdryer. By using a diffuser, you can spread heat more evenly and define your natural curls and waves. After you start to see your curls begin to take shape, allow your hair to air-dry the rest of the way.
4
Pin your hair up. Starting at the roots, wrap a small section of hair around your finger, slide your finger out, and pin it down. Allow you hair to air-dry, then remove the clips and fluff your amped-up curls with your fingers.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Madeleine Johnson
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 18 December 2019.}
5
Avoid sleeping on your hair. For long hair, gather your locks in a loose ponytail at the highest point on your head and simply let it down when you wake up. This protects the curl pattern and volume from being flattened while you sleep. For short or long hair, consider sleeping with a satin bonnet or cap to prevent nighttime knots and tangles.^{[12]
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6
Visit a hair dresser for a curl-enhancing haircut. Be sure to always get your hair cut when dry. In some cases, your hair stylist may need to blow dry and flat iron you hair before cutting it to straighten it out. Curly hair, unlike straight or wavy hair, behaves quite differently when wet and dry. By getting a dry cut, you ensure that your “tamed” curls flow down instead of out and are cut to be clean, sharp, and frizz-free.^{[13]
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- Set an appointment again as soon as your curls start to flatten at the crown.^{[14]
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- Ask for scissors, not a razor. Scissors create sharp, clean lines that reduce frizz and fly-aways.^{[15]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Styling Products

1
Volumize and condition. Curly hair tends to be dry, so you will want to stock up on styling product to prevent the frizz and flattening that comes with brittle hair. Make sure to choose products that are labeled as “moisturizing.” Try spraying a moisturizing volumizer at the roots and treat your tresses with a leave-in conditioner from the ends to about mid-length.^{[16]
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2
Mix up a cocktail. People with curly hair have unique and specific needs, and sometimes it can be useful to mix together products. For example, you might create a mixture of smoothing serum, coconut oil, and styling gel to address and tackle styling problems.
- Stock up on curl-enhancing products and experiment to find the right mixture to combat a combination problems, including frizz, dryness, and dullness.^{[17]
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- Keep in mind that what works for someone else might not work for you. Try different combinations to find the best mixture of products for your hair.
3
Avoid styling products with alcohol. Products with alcohol dry out your hair and tend to give curly hair a crunchy, dry texture. That is why many companies produce gels, mousses, and hairsprays that are alcohol-free. Look for products that provide control with a non-brittle hold.^{[18]
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4
Use sea salt spray. Look for moisturizing sea salt sprays, because these will trap a bit of moisture and add volume by helping your curls stick together in defined strands.^{[19]
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Expert Q&A
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Question

How can I bring out my natural curls without using products?

Madeleine Johnson
Hair Stylist & Hair Extensions Specialist
Madeleine Johnson is a Hair Stylist and Hair Extensions Specialist based in Beverly Hills, California. She is affiliated with Hair by Violet Salon in Beverly Hills. Madeleine has over six years of hairstyling experience as a licensed cosmetologist. She specializes in microbead extensions and tape-in extensions. She trained under celebrity extension artist Violet Teriti (Chaviv Hair) and earned her cosmetology license from Santa Monica College.

Madeleine Johnson

Hair Stylist & Hair Extensions Specialist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

You have two really good options here. First, you can braid your hair before you go to sleep. When you wake up and take the braids out, your hair will be much curlier. The other thing you can do is use Velcro rollers.
Question

Does curling your hair with a curling iron damage it?

Madeleine Johnson
Hair Stylist & Hair Extensions Specialist
Madeleine Johnson is a Hair Stylist and Hair Extensions Specialist based in Beverly Hills, California. She is affiliated with Hair by Violet Salon in Beverly Hills. Madeleine has over six years of hairstyling experience as a licensed cosmetologist. She specializes in microbead extensions and tape-in extensions. She trained under celebrity extension artist Violet Teriti (Chaviv Hair) and earned her cosmetology license from Santa Monica College.

Madeleine Johnson

Hair Stylist & Hair Extensions Specialist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Yes, it can. In small doses it's probably okay, but you don't want to throw a ton of heat at your hair. Use a heat-shielding product before you use your curling iron to keep your hair intact.
Question

Can you curl thick hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

If you have natural curls you can still use a curling iron to refine or reshape them. In fact, curly hair will hold a set better than straight hair.