Essential haircare tips for curly hair….. Curly hair.
Yeah, it’s a whole situation.
I mean, don’t get me wrong—I love my curls. Like really, I do. But they also make me want to yeet my diffuser out the window sometimes. Especially when I’m trying to look halfway decent for something important and suddenly, boom, my hair’s decided to host a humidity-themed party and didn’t invite me.
If you’ve ever Googled “essential haircare tips for curly hair” at 1 a.m. with wet hair and a fading will to live (dramatic, but also… accurate), hi, I see you. Been there. A lot.
Let me tell you, learning to get my curls to behave—aka achieve frizz-free curls every time (ish)—has been less of a straight road and more like a curly jungle gym with the occasional emotional breakdown thrown in.
But! I’ve learned a few things. Some the hard way. Some from my friend Kiera who could write a thesis on co-washing. Some from that one time I used a coconut oil mask and had to shampoo my head six times before it stopped looking like I dipped it in Crisco.
So here we are. Let’s talk real curly hair tips. No BS. Just what actually works (and what definitely doesn’t).
The Shower is Where the Magic Starts ✨
Here’s something I didn’t fully understand until like… 2019:
How you wash your curls sets the stage for literally everything else.
I used to shampoo like I was scrubbing a cast-iron skillet. Rubbing the heck out of my hair, getting it all squeaky clean, then wondering why my curls were mad at me the next day.
Turns out, curls don’t like to be manhandled. (Who does?)
A Few Actually Useful Tips:
- Use sulfate-free shampoo. Sulfates = too harsh. They strip the natural oils that curls desperately need to stay hydrated and bouncy.
- Condition like your life depends on it. Slather that stuff on. Finger detangle while you’re at it. Bonus: You feel like a mermaid.
- Cold rinse at the end. I know. It sucks. But it helps seal the hair cuticle and lock in moisture. (I still complain every time.)
Drying: The Curls Will Judge You
Okay, listen.
If you’re using a regular towel to dry your curls, you’re basically committing hair crimes. Those fluffy bath towels are way too rough—they cause frizz faster than I can find my AirPods (which is never, by the way).
Instead:
- Use a microfiber towel or an old cotton T-shirt. Trust me. Your curls will be like, “Finally, some respect.”
- Don’t rub. Don’t twist. Don’t scrunch like you’re making salad. Just gently squeeze the water out.
Oh, and if you’ve never heard of “plopping”? I hadn’t either. But now I’m a believer. You wrap your curls up in a T-shirt like a weird little head burrito. And when you undo it? Boom—defined curls, less frizz, and you feel like a TikTok witch goddess.
Styling is a Ritual, Not a Rush Job
You ever scrunch in some curl cream and think, “This is gonna be a good hair day”? And then two hours later you look like you lost a fight with a leaf blower?
Yeah. Me too.
Here’s the deal: curly hair styling needs time and patience. And, ideally, no one watching.
My Go-To Routine (aka What I Do When I’m Trying to Impress Someone)
- While hair is still soaking wet (like, dripping), I apply a leave-in conditioner.
- Then a curl cream or curl-defining gel—depends on my mood and humidity levels.
- I use the praying hands method to smooth it on. (Google it. It’s not religious—it’s just… calming for your hair, apparently.)
- Scrunch. Gently.
- Diffuser on low heat, low speed. Yes, it takes forever. No, I do not recommend trying this 10 minutes before a job interview.
Sleep is Sabotaging Your Curls. Sorry.
If you’ve ever gone to bed with perfect curls and woken up with what can only be described as a chaotic bird’s nest, congratulations, you’re normal.
But also, you need to protect those curls, boo.
Nighttime Essentials:
- Satin or silk pillowcases. Cotton drags and tangles. Satin = smooth dreams and smoother curls.
- Pineapple your hair. No, not like putting fruit in it. You just gather it in a loose ponytail on top of your head. (You’ll look ridiculous but feel powerful.)
- Sleep with a bonnet or scarf. I fought this one for years, but once I started? Game-changer. I even got a pink one with stars on it because I’m fabulous like that.
Moisture Is EVERYTHING. for essential haircare tips for curly hair
Curly hair is basically a moisture sponge with abandonment issues.
It needs hydration. Constantly. Like, if my hair were a person, she’d text “u up?” to my conditioner every night at 2 a.m.
So you’ve gotta keep feeding it.
Products That Help:
- Deep conditioning masks. I do one weekly while watching trash TV. Love is Blind and coconut oil? Iconic combo.
- Hair oils. But use the right ones (like argan or jojoba—not the kitchen fryer stuff).
- Water-based sprays. Sometimes I just spritz my hair like I’m misting a plant. It feels spiritual.
The Weather Hates Us All Equally
Humidity is not our friend.
Neither is rain, or wind, or that weird mist that happens in the fall when the air just feels wet.
Sometimes, despite doing everything “right,” my curls still go rogue. And that’s okay. I’ve learned to embrace the frizz as volume and the chaos as character.
Because let’s be real: there’s something kinda magical about curly hair. It’s wild. It’s stubborn. It has vibes.
Even on the bad days.
A Few Final Thoughts for essential haircare tips for curly hair
If anyone tells you curly hair is “so easy”—they’re lying or have never had to detangle after a nap.
Don’t fall for TikTok hacks that involve straighteners, mayonnaise, or literal glue (I saw it once, still scarred). And don’t let anyone tell you your hair is “unprofessional” or “too big.”
Your curls are valid, your frizz is fine, and your hair doesn’t need to be tamed—it needs to be loved. https://kohopoho.com/top-hair-growth-oils/.
