How to Style Curly Hair: A Guide for Beginners

A Quick Guide to Prepping Your Curly Hair for Styling

Your hair-prepping routine makes ALL the difference in how your curls look and last throughout the day. We have put together this quick guide to walk you through all the essential steps - from detangling to drying - so your curls stay soft, bouncy, shiny, and, most importantly - frizz-free.

Step 1: Detangle with Care

Start by dividing the hair into four sections - first down the middle, then splitting each side in half. This makes things manageable and ensures every curl gets proper attention. You can use claw or sectioning clips to hold the sections in place without tugging or weighing them down. 

Now, before reaching for any tools, start detangling with your fingers. The best way to avoid breakage is to work through the bigger knots while your hair is dry, gently opening and spreading the strands apart instead of yanking through them. 

(Here’s a video demo if you want to see this in action)

Then, ONLY when your fingers glide through a section without catching knots can you switch to a wide-toothed comb or a soft-bristled brush. Because, if any knots are left behind and you rush to run a comb or brush to detangle them fast, it will only make things worse. The knots will become so tight that your fingers won’t be able to loosen them, eventually causing breakage.

Also, as a general rule, always start from the ends and work your way up toward the roots to prevent unnecessary damage. 

Ps: Your fingers alone can do the job just as well. 

Step 2: Cleanse Without Stripping Moisture

The wrong shampoo can leave your curls feeling dry, dull, and difficult to style - pretty much the opposite of what we’re going for. That’s why it’s important to ditch harsh, sulfate-laden shampoos and opt for something gentler. Yes, you want your hair clean, but not at the cost of moisture.

To get the best cleanse without over-drying, start by pouring a small amount of shampoo into your wet palm. Rub your hands together first to emulsify the shampoo - this helps it lather up better, spread more evenly, and cleanse more effectively. 

Now, apply it only to your scalp. There’s no need to shampoo the ends separately - they’re already prone to dryness, and letting the lather naturally slide down as you rinse is enough to cleanse them without stripping moisture.

A few curl-friendly shampoos worth trying:

• Keune Care Vital Nutrition

• Davines OI Shampoo

• Shea Moisture Curl & Shine Shampoo

Since curly hair doesn’t need frequent washing, once or twice a week is usually enough. If your scalp gets oily between washes, consider using a co-wash (conditioning cleanser) to refresh your hair without disrupting its moisture balance.

Step 3: Deep Condition for Hydration

Hydration, hydration, hydration! That’s the secret to soft, bouncy curls. 

After shampooing, a deep conditioning treatment helps replenish moisture, strengthen your hair, and improve curl definition.

Apply a generous amount of deep conditioner or hair mask, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends (where moisture is needed most). Use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to evenly distribute the product, ensuring every curl gets some love. Just be sure to follow the timing instructions according to the label - don’t leave it on longer than recommended for extra moisture, it will only leave your hair appearing greasy. 

Remember, moisturized hair doesn’t just come from what you put on it - it starts from within. So, make sure you're drinking enough water so your curls stay hydrated from the inside out!

Here are some deep conditioning treatments to try:

• Keune Care Vital Nutrition Mask

• Clever Curl Treatment

• Davines OI Butter

Step 4: Apply a Leave-In Conditioner

If there’s one step you don’t want to skip, it’s this! A leave-in conditioner locks in moisture keeps curls soft, and makes styling so much easier. Plus, it helps keep frizz in check, so your curls stay defined and touchable all day.

After rinsing out your deep conditioner, gently squeeze out excess water using a cotton T-shirt or microfiber towel - regular towels can cause friction, which leads to frizz. 

While your hair is still damp (but not dripping), work in a small amount of leave-in conditioner. 

A quick tip: If your hair tends to dry quickly, keep a spray bottle nearby to lightly mist sections as needed - styling products don’t absorb well without that dampness. 

Start from the mid-lengths to the ends, and use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to distribute it evenly.

Some stylist-approved leave-ins to try:

• Clever Curl Leave-in

• Wella Nutricurls Curlixir Balm

• Davroe Curl Creme Definer

If you’re planning to heat-style or layer on other styling products, this step is a must - it creates a moisture barrier that keeps your curls looking and feeling their best!

Step 5: Detangle Again (But Smarter This Time)

With your hair hydrated and conditioned, it’s time for a second round of detangling - this time to help with styling. The best tool depends on your curl pattern and hair density:

• Fine curls: Use a soft-bristle brush or fingers for gentle detangling.

• Thicker curls: A wide-tooth comb works best for keeping curls intact.

Or better yet, opt for a curly-hair-specific brush that works for both kinds - fine and thick curls. The Defined Edgelift brush by Bounce Curl is a great option!

Work in sections again, starting from the ends and moving upward. 

Step 6: Define and Hold Your Curls

Rub a small amount of curl cream or gel between your palms, then scrunch it into your curls in the upward direction. If you want extra hold, layering a lightweight gel over your curl cream can help keep your style in place.

Some styling products worth trying:

• Clever Curl Cream

• Davines Love Curl Cream

• Davroe Cream Definer

If your curls tend to lose shape throughout the day, this step will help maintain definition and volume for longer.

Step 7: Dry Your Hair the Right Way

Air drying is usually the gentlest option. Simply let your curls dry naturally after applying your products. Using a gel can help hold the curl pattern while preventing frizz.

For when you’re in a hurry, diffusing speeds up the drying process. But, REMEMBER, always use a heat protectant first - NOT just on the surface, but all the way through. Curly hair is naturally voluminous, so lift sections and spray inside to ensure the protectant coats every strand from root to tip.

Next, set the diffuser to medium heat, gently cupping your curls and allowing them to dry in sections without touching them too much.

One last tip: Avoid rough towel drying! Instead, blot excess water with a cotton T-shirt or microfiber towel to prevent unnecessary frizz.

Step 8: Scrunch Out the Crunch

Once your curls are completely dry, you might notice a slight crunchiness from the gel or styling products. This is totally normal - it just means the product has set your curls in place. To soften them, gently scrunch your hair with your hands until the stiffness disappears.

For extra shine and frizz control, finish with a lightweight oil or serum:

• Moroccanoil Treatment

• Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel

• Wella SP Luxe Oil

• Davine Oi Oil 

A little goes a long way, so apply sparingly to avoid weighing down your curls.