How To Wash and Style Children’s Curly Hair with Bouclème
Caring for your child’s curly hair can feel overwhelming at first, especially if curls are new to you. One minute they’re adorable little ringlets, the next it’s knots, frizz and tears before school. The good news? With the right routine and the right products, caring for children’s curly hair can be simple, gentle and even enjoyable.
At Curly Life, we truly believe curls should be celebrated from day one. Using curl-friendly products like Bouclème, and keeping things low-stress, helps children build confidence and a healthy relationship with their natural hair early on.
Let’s walk through how to wash, detangle and style children’s curly hair, using Bouclème products designed to nurture curls of all ages.
Why children’s curly hair needs extra gentle care
Children’s hair is finer, softer and more delicate than adult hair. Until around the age of 12, hair is still developing, which means harsh products and over-styling can cause unnecessary dryness, breakage and irritation, especially for curly hair, which is naturally prone to dryness.
This is why Bouclème is such a great choice for kids’ curls. Their formulas are sulphate-free, paraben-free and made with naturally nourishing ingredients that are gentle on sensitive scalps and skin. No harsh foaming agents, no unnecessary chemicals — just curl-loving care that works.
For children with sensitive skin, Bouclème’s fragrance-free options are a fantastic choice and help reduce the risk of irritation while still delivering moisture and definition.
Understanding your child’s curl type (and porosity)
Just like adults, kids have different curl patterns and hair needs. Some children have loose waves, others tight coils, and many sit somewhere in between.
Take a moment to observe your child’s hair:
- Is it fine or thick?
- Does it feel dry no matter what you use?
- Does it frizz easily in humidity?
- Does it take a long time to get wet or dry?
These clues can help you understand their hair porosity, which affects how moisture is absorbed and retained.
Low porosity hair struggles to absorb moisture and often feels dry despite products.
High porosity hair absorbs moisture quickly but loses it just as fast, leading to frizz and tangles.
Knowing this helps you choose the right Bouclème products and techniques to keep curls happy.
A simple, tantrum-free wash day routine
For most children with curly hair, washing once or twice a week is enough. Over-washing strips natural oils and causes dryness. If an extra wash is needed (hello, paint days and playground adventures), just keep products gentle and hydrating.
Step 1: Thoroughly wet the hair
Use lukewarm water and make sure the hair is fully saturated. Water is your first moisturiser.
Step 2: Cleanse gently
Use Bouclème Hydrating Hair Cleanser, applying a small amount to the scalp only. Massage gently with fingertips and let the soft foam cleanse the lengths as you rinse.
Step 3: Condition and detangle
Apply Bouclème Curl Conditioner generously to mid-lengths and ends. Detangle gently using a Wide Tooth Comb or Detangling Wet Brush, starting from the ends and working upwards. More conditioner = easier detangling.
Leave it in for a few minutes before rinsing.
Step 4: Cool rinse and leave-in care
Finish with a cool rinse to help seal the cuticle and boost shine. While hair is still soaking wet, scrunch in a small amount of Bouclème Curl Cream for soft, defined, bouncy curls.
Easy styling for school days (and busy mornings)
Weekends are for free-flowing curls, but school days often call for a little extra structure.
Scrunch to define
With wet hair, rake in Bouclème Curl Cream, then layer with Curl Defining Gel for extra frizz control and definition.
Plop, don’t rub
Skip regular towels. Instead, plop curls into a cotton t-shirt or Bouclème Curl Towel to absorb excess water without disrupting curl shape.
Air dry or diffuse
Let hair air dry when possible. If time is tight, use a diffuser on low heat to dry gently and evenly.
Hands off
Avoid touching curls while drying to prevent frizz and disruption.
Night-time protection matters too
Protective styling makes mornings much easier. Before bed:
- Lightly mist hair with water
- Add a small amount of Curl Cream if needed
- Tie hair loosely with a silk scrunchie, or use a kids’ bonnet or pineapple style
This helps prevent tangles, matting and morning tears.
When should children with curly hair get trims?
Forget strict haircut schedules. Curly hair only needs trimming when it shows signs like:
- Split ends
- Excessive tangling
- Uneven shape
- Difficulty styling
A curl-friendly trim keeps curls bouncing and healthy without overcutting.
Top tips for caring for children’s curly hair
- Avoid sulphates and parabens
- Don’t over-wash
- Never brush curls dry
- Minimise heat styling
- Stick to a simple, consistent routine
- Be patient and gentle
- Speak positively about curls
- Your words shape how your child feels about their hair.
Let’s raise confident curl kids
Curls are part of identity, and how we care for and talk about them matters. By using gentle, curl-specific products like Bouclème, keeping routines simple, and celebrating natural texture, you’re helping your child grow up loving their hair exactly as it is.
If you’re new to Bouclème, the Bouclème Starter Kit is a great way to try a full curly routine in smaller sizes. For sensitive scalps, the fragrance-free range is a beautiful option for little curls.
There really is nothing cuter than a child confidently rocking their natural curls and we’re here to help every step of the way 💛
