How to Style Curly Hair: The Basics to Know

How curly hair is washed has a big impact on the finished look, so in some ways, styling really starts with your choice of shampoo. You need the right formula – plus a shape-defining conditioner – to get natural curls ready for drying and styling. But what works for one curl type doesn’t always work for another, which is why experimenting is key to finding your perfect routine. Your locks might love co-washing or you could find that a damage-repairing shampoo keeps your ringlets bouncy. So, take your pick from these cleansing and caring must-haves...

If You’re Co-Washing...

… then try NutriCurls Cleansing Conditioner. It’s specially formulated to gently cleanse, purify and condition wavy or curly hair without stripping natural oils away. Simply massage it into wet hair, work it in for a few minutes, then thoroughly rinse this low-foam cleanser from strands. No need to follow up with a conditioner – the blend of Jojoba Oil and Panthenol will leave locks touchably soft and defined. 

If You’re Shampooing...

… reach for NutriCurls Micellar Shampoo. Just like micellar cleansers for your skin, this nourishing shampoo harnesses molecules called micelles that trap impurities, so they can easily be rinsed away. The big benefit of this is that locks are purified while the scalp and strands are respected. If you're dealing with dry hair, try focusing shampoo on the roots only, then let the lather run through lengths and ends when you rinse.

If Hair is Damaged...

… then ULTIMATE REPAIR Shampoo is your perfect pick. It nourishes strands, deeply cleanses away harsh pollutants, and kick-starts the bond-rebuilding process. A consistent routine is key, so follow with ULTIMATE REPAIR Conditioner or, for a weekly boost of intensive care, ULTIMATE REPAIR Mask. Both are packed with a skincare-inspired blend of AHA and Omega-9 to nourish from the inside out.

Use a Deep Conditioner or Hair Mask

As we mention above, if you’re using ULTIMATE REPAIR Shampoo, the matching Mask and Conditioner are must-haves. They’ll keep damaged hair nourished from one wash to the next, so curls look and feel healthier. However, if you’re using NutriCurls Micellar Shampoo, NutriCurls Deep Treatment For Waves & Curls will be your weekly essential. Rich, creamy and intense, it helps to prevent frizz for luscious, touchable tresses. Apply it to the lengths and ends of hair, allow it to absorb for up to five minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

Squeeze Out Excess Water

Before applying a conditioning product – whether that's NutriCurls Detangling Conditioner or ULTIMATE REPAIR Mask – make sure you're dealing with damp hair. You don't want curls to be soaking wet at this stage. So, very gently squeeze out excess water – you may even want to blot dry with a microfiber towel – then massage your moisturizing conditioner through lengths and ends. This allows strands to really soak up and absorb all of that nourishing goodness.

Make Sure You Detangle

Detangling is best done when hair is wet and drenched in a conditioner or hair mask, so don’t rinse out conditioner without working through those pesky knots first. Use a wide-tooth comb and start at the ends, instead of dragging through strands from root to tip. Once you've dealt with one section of knots, move higher up and detangle the next section. Keep going until no more knots can be found, then rinse curls with warm water.

Your curls are clean, your hair product is in, and now it's time to choose the right drying method for you. Here are your options, each designed to guarantee a good hair day… 

Plopping Curly Hair

Even if you plan to let hair air dry or you're using a blow dryer, we recommend you start with plopping to guarantee bouncy curls from roots to ends. Here's how it's done:

Step 1: On a flat surface, lay out a soft, cotton t-shirt. The neck and sleeves should be closest to you, and the torso should be spread out in front. 

Step 2: Flip your head upside down so curls are resting close to the neck area of the t-shirt. You want to 'accordion' them onto the shirt, so they're gathered up on top of your head.

Step 3: Once curls are gathered near the neck of the t-shirt, with your head still upside down, grab the bottom of the t-shirt and pull it up over the top of your curls so they're completely covered.

Step 4: Grab the sleeves, gather the loose fabric and twist at the sides. Then tie the sleeves at the back of your head, so the t-shirt is secured, with your curls tucked inside.

Step 5: Leave the t-shirt tied on until you're left with semi-damp hair. You can even keep hair plopped overnight if your curls tend to take a long time to dry. 

Air Drying Curly Hair

After plopping curly hair, untie the t-shirt and let strands loose. And then do... nothing. You may want to lightly press and 'clump' curls together, but air drying requires very little else. One of the biggest benefits of letting locks dry naturally is that you're not exposing them to heat tools, so it's a great way of keeping hair healthy – if and when you have the time to skip a blow dry. 

Blow Drying Curly Hair

When you don't have time for air drying, an ionic hair dryer with a diffuser will help you out. That diffuser is the secret to evenly distributing heat, so you don't blow curls out of shape, leaving hair frizzy and dry. Simply follow these steps:

Step 1: After attaching the diffuser to the dryer, take a section of hair and place the ends of that section in the head of the diffuser.

Step 2: Switch the dryer on, and guide the nozzle up towards the root, so the lengths are pushed up.

Step 3: Hold the diffuser there until curls are dry, then release. Repeat these steps on all sections of hair.

Step 4: If, when you're done, ringlets still need extra help to stay frizz-free and maintain curl formation, apply a little extra styling product. Remember to keep it light; it's easier to add more than it is to remove excess. 

When it's not hair wash day but waves and curls need a refresh, try this quick and easy step-by-step:

1. Work Through Tangles – If Needed

You don't want to over-comb curly hair – and you definitely don't want to brush it – but if lengths are super knotty then they need detangling. So, assess hair from roots to ends to check for stubborn tangles, then work through them with fingers or a wide-tooth comb. A gentle approach is needed, which means prepping with a leave-in conditioner, like NutriCurls Milky Waves. Then delicately ease knots apart using your hands, or slowly comb through tangles in small sections so you don't trigger frizz. 

2. Apply Your Go-To Styling Hair Product

NutriCurls Curlixir Balm can be topped up on dry hair in between washes, so don't be afraid to add more product to level up day-to-day definition. If hair is craving moisture, mist lengths with water from a spray bottle first, then apply the balm to locks by (very) gently squeezing it into strands, taking care not to crush the curl pattern. You can also try the finger coiling method. Simply separate hair into sections, then take the end of one of these sections and twirl it around your finger until it's tightly spiraled. Release the curl downwards, then move on to the next section until all strands have been coiled.

3. Protect Hair While You Sleep

Always waking up to flat hair? Then keep hair curly and bouncy with overnight protection. Your best technique is pineappling, which involves tying locks high up on the top of your head with a scrunchie or silk hair tie. Once secured, hair should resemble a pineapple – which explains the name! Then, head to bed with tresses protected. In the morning, shake curls loose, and go back to step one: detangling.