Styling Curly Hair: 6 things that will probably really help you.

3 minute read

By Anneliese Hesse.

Somehow, the internet manages to make styling curly hair look both super easy and extremely difficult.

Social media has become flooded with new hacks and tools for 'perfect curls!' using just this brush/pair of tights/pasta sieve/insert random item here.

If it's confusing for us, think how our poor clients feel!

The good news? Most of it isn't necessary.

Here are six simple tips for styling curls.

1. Keep it simple product wise - especially when starting out

You need a shampoo, a conditioner and a styling product.

This is not to say that you only ever need one styling product, but the internet wants you to use 10, which is never going to work. So let's just start one at a time to get used to what they actually do. A gel or a mousse tend to be a good starter-outer as they both have hold. Leave-in conditioner does not count as a styling product as it is a conditioner, and does not really lend itself to styling.

2. Stopping using shampoo is NOT the solution

It doesn't matter who told you otherwise - it is not correct.

Cleansing is a vital step for proper hydration, hair growth and scalp health, and more often than not leads to problems such as dandruff or even hair loss when not done regularly.

3. Detangle hair when conditioner is in

If you choose to do this at the basin then make sure your client is comfortable, as it could take a while in some cases. Detangling brushes work best - certainly better than wide tooth combs - or even just use your fingers to gently remove tighter knots.

4. Discuss styling goals and priorities

Is the main goal to have definition? Or volume? Or maybe volume at the roots and definition through mids and ends?

All of these will require a different approach - even if you choose to diffuse for all of them, the way that you do it will differ.

Make sure you are clear on what your client wants to achieve, and discuss how this will work for them.

5. Apply styling products to wet hair - not damp

This is to aid an even application, but you should consider that more water will also dilute your products to an extent.

6. Be prepared

Running around looking for a diffuser or scanning the back of bottles of product you haven't used in a while will not do you any favours. You need to know your tools, know your products, know your techniques and use and them confidently.

There is a huge lack of education around textured hair - specifically tighter textures.

If it’s not something you’re super confident about yet then that’s OK, but that does need to change.

Check out our Curls and Coils course - covering scientific theory, colouring techniques, natural styling techniques and lots of info about consultation and offering a curl inclusive service.