Pictured: Bounce Curl Reversible Satin Hair Bonnet
So, you’ve decided to embrace your natural curls and let your hair shine in all its wavy, curly, or coily glory. Whether you’ve spent years straightening and relaxing your curls, or your hair has grown out unexpectedly curly, or maybe you just discovered your “frizz” was actually waves begging to break free—welcome to your curly hair journey!
The internet can be a total maze, right? You’ve scrolled through TikTok, binged YouTube tutorials, and read countless blogs, only to be bombarded with complex routines and a million “must-have” products. Do you really need to blow your budget or spend hours in the bathroom just to wear your hair natural? Spoiler alert: You don’t!
Here’s the great news: there are 6 simple tips to kick off your curly hair journey without breaking the bank or taking a crash course in hair science.
PS: here at Curly Life, we are HUGE believers in simplifying curl care. If you want to go all in on the rabbit trail and learn the ins and outs of curls, be our guest! When we craft educational content, we are keeping everyone in mind – from the busy career boss babe who just wants her hair to look healthy to the curl enthusiast who has more hair products than clothes! Regardless of where you are in your journey, we are here for you!
1. Stop Brushing Your Hair Dry
I know it sounds counterintuitive, but brushing curly hair when it’s dry is a recipe for disaster! It breaks up your beautiful curls, creates static, and turns them into a frizzy mess. So, if you’ve always thought your hair was just “frizzy,” it’s not! You’ve just been brushing out your curls! No matter your curl type—waves, curls, or coils—stop brushing dry.
Instead, only brush your curls when they’re wet and coated with conditioner. This not only makes detangling easier but also reduces breakage and frizz. Plus, using the right brush can make the process so much smoother!
Our pick: Bounce Curl Detangling Brush
2. Say Goodbye to Traditional Towel Drying
We all know the routine: step out of the shower, grab your towel, and rub your hair like there’s no tomorrow. But guess what? Terrycloth towels are rough on your hair, causing friction and breakage, and they suck out all the moisture, leaving your curls frizzy and dry.
Our pick: Microfibre & Vegan Silk Reversible Curl Plopping Towel (use this with step 5)
3. Apply Leave-In and Styling Products on Soaking Wet Hair
Here’s a tip the pros know: when a product says “apply to damp hair,” it’s not for us curly folks. Water is your curly hair’s best friend! Applying leave-in and styling products to soaking wet hair helps to evenly distribute the product, which defines curls better and reduces frizz. If your hair is just damp, you risk uneven application and patchy results. No one wants half-frizzy, half-greasy hair!
4. Never Skip the Styling Step
Gone are the days of just shampoo and go. If you want to keep frizz at bay and enhance your natural curl pattern, a styling product is non-negotiable. And I’m not talking about leave-in conditioners, oils, or serums. You need products with hold—like gels, mousses, or styling creams—that contain film-forming ingredients to lock in your curls and fight frizz.
Some products might leave your hair feeling a bit crunchy at first, but don’t worry—that’s just the “cast” setting your curls in place. A quick scrunch, and your curls will be soft, bouncy, and ready to go!
Our pick: Tootilab All Weather Styling Gel
5. Use a Plopping Towel/Diffuser to Dry Your Hair
To lock in your curls, you’ll need to set them in place, and a diffuser is perfect for the job! Unlike a regular blow dryer that can blow your curls all over the place, creating frizz, a diffuser gently dries your hair, keeping your curls intact and frizz-free. While air drying is an option, it can take forever and often leads to frizz as your curls move around. When starting your curly hair journey, a diffuser is a game-changer!
Plopping towels are a great option for time-constrained curlies. Plopping towels lift your curls and keep the curls lifted while gently drying them (see step 2 for our pick).
Our pick: LuxeDiffuser Silicone Hair Diffuser Attachment
6. Protect Your Hair While You Sleep
Last but not least, protect your curls overnight. Your cotton pillowcase might be secretly working against you, creating friction that undoes all your hard work from the day. Switch to a silk pillowcase—they’re smoother, reduce friction, and are great for your skin too!
If you have longer hair, a loose pineapple ponytail on top of your head can keep your curls from getting squashed while you sleep. This way, you wake up with your curls still intact!
Explore our wide collection of bonnets and pillowcases here!
Start Your Curly Hair Journey Without the Hassle
See? Starting your curly hair journey doesn’t have to be complicated. A few simple changes in your routine can make all the difference without needing a ton of products or mastering complex techniques.
Still unsure if going natural is for you? Let me change your mind! Here are 6 reasons to embrace your natural curls—it’s healthier, less time-consuming, and so much more rewarding!
Give it a try, take it step by step, and get started. I promise you won’t regret it!
With love,
Amity 💗
