How to Take Care of Curly Hair: Washing & Moisturizing

Knowing how to take care of curly hair is a skill. Because every curl type, pattern and texture is unique, understanding just what strands need – and when, and why – can require a whole lot of trial and error. But it’s so worth every second of effort. Healthy, bouncy curls turn heads like no other look, whether they’re soft and loose, tight and textured or somewhere in between.

So, how do you take care of curly hair? These are the tips you need to maintain the most radiant, nourished and voluptuous curls around…

FIRST, WHAT ARE THE KEY DIFFERENCES IN CARING FOR CURLY HAIR COMPARED TO STRAIGHT HAIR?

1. CURLY HAIR MAY BE DRIER

Why exactly is curly hair prone to dryness? It’s partly down to how sebum travels from the follicles through to the tips. When the hair is straight, the journey is simple: the sebum moves from roots to ends with ease. But when it’s curly or coily, all of that essential, nourishing oil has to spiral down each ringlet to hydrate the full length. Because of this, curly hair sometimes needs a little extra help to feel hydrated through the lengths and ends. This means hair masks, hair balms and leave-in treatments are all must-haves in your curly routine.

2. IT CAN ALSO BE MORE FRAGILE

Without an abundance of natural oils supporting and protecting curly strands, the hair may be more fragile. This means you should take a gentle approach to caring for and styling locks. Patience and a delicate touch are essential when washing and detangling curls, while silk scrunchies, silk pillowcases, the softest towels, and wide-tooth combs are also mainstays in your kit.

3. FRIZZ AND FLYAWAYS ARE COMMON

Frizz can happen to all hair types – straight, wavy, curly and coily – but there’s no denying that definition is an especially hot topic in the curly community. So, you need the very best frizz-defying products and techniques to enhance your hair pattern. Think moisturizing balms and lotions that temper flyaways to help each ringlet flaunt its flawless shape.

HOW DO YOU WASH CURLY HAIR?

Washing is the foundation of every curly hair routine. The shampoo you uses – and how often you use it – determines just how beautifully defined your curls appear. So make sure you follow these wash day tips…

1. WASH AT LEAST ONCE PER WEEK

If your curly hair is dry and your roots don’t get oily easily, you can stretch out the time between washes to ensure ringlets stay moisturized. However, you should make sure you’re lathering up at least once per week, so your scalp is clean and cared for. This may be all you need, while oilier hair types will want to shampoo their locks more often to maintain balance. It’s all about assessing how your curls look and feel from day to day, then finding a wash day routine that works for your unique hair type.

2. CHOOSE THE RIGHT SHAMPOO

You may prefer to use a co-wash in place of traditional shampoo, as these creamy formulas help to lock in moisture and, in turn, texture definition. When this is the case, use the NutriCurls Cleansing Conditioner; a low-foam, luxurious cream that nourishes roots and lengths while rinsing impurities away.

You can also try a ‘curl cleansing cycle’, where you alternate between co-washing and traditional shampooing, so your scalp and lengths get a deeper (yet still gentle) cleanse to remove product build-up. So, on one wash day, you would care for curls with the NutriCurls Cleansing Conditioner, and on the next, they would use the ULTIMATE Repair Shampoo.

Why ULTIMATE REPAIR? Not only is the luxurious lather suitable for all hair types, but it’s also deeply replenishing – perfect for dry and fragile locks. The Shampoo features AHA to rebuild the hair shaft from the inside, plus a boost of Omega-9 to repair each strand’s outer layer for 12x smoother hair*. So, it’s giving curls a more thorough cleanse than a co-wash, when you need it, and still keeping frizz and flyaways at bay with intense nourishment.

3. FOCUS ON THE SCALP IF LENGTHS ARE DRY

If the lengths of curly or coily hair are dry, focus shampoos and cleansing conditioners on the scalp. This way, you’re getting rid of any excess oil or sebum build-up without throwing the lengths off balance. The ends of hair will still get clean, as the lather will run through them when you rinse it out. Work in sections to ensure the whole of the scalp is fresh and purified.

4. APPLY A CONDITIONER OR HAIR MASK

Your don’t need to follow up a co-wash with a conditioner or hair mask, but traditional shampoos team perfectly with an added dose of care. So, after using ULTIMATE REPAIR Shampoo, apply ULTIMATE REPAIR Conditioner. It’s sumptuously rich to hydrate locks, yet rinses completely clean, so curls and coils feel bouncy and fresh. On hair wash days when ringlets crave extra moisture, you can swap in the NutriCurls Deep Treatment. We recommend leaving it on for up to five minutes, so the blend of Jojoba Oil and Panthenol can absorb and work its magic.

5. DETANGLE IN THE SHOWER

Detangling curly hair when it’s wet and product-free is a big no-no, as this is when those textured strands are at their most fragile. However, when hair is slick with a co-wash, a conditioner or a reparative mask, you can actually use your hands or a wide-tooth comb to work through knots without knocking out the texture. Start the process at the ends of the hair, carefully separating each tangle, and gradually move your way up to the hair shaft until you reach the root.

6. GENTLY BLOT HAIR DRY

Once you have rinsed hair clean, it’s time to dry the curls. Instead of using a rough towel for this step, you should reach for a microfiber towel or a clean, soft, cotton t-shirt. Then, rather than rubbing locks, which causes friction and – you guessed it – frizz, blot out the moisture. A very gentle scrunching motion will help curls dry off, while enhancing their shape.

7. FINISH WITH A LEAVE-IN TREATMENT

High porosity hair is common in curls, which means each strand can struggle to retain moisture. Those fragile ringlets may have gaps and tears along the cuticle that allow water and oils to escape. So, leave-in treatments are essential when caring for curly hair, as they stay on locks longer than rinse-out conditioners to provide deeper, lasting nourishment.

But not just any leave-in treatment will do. Look for one that rebuilds the hair from the inside out, like ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue. The revolutionary mist repairs hair damage in just 90 seconds*, while giving your client 12x smoother hair** with 99% less breakage**. Goodbye frizz, dryness and split ends. All you have to do is spray it generously through your clean, damp hair, allow it to absorb for the full 90 seconds, then move on to styling routine. Simple.

HOW DO YOU KEEP CURLY HAIR FROM FRIZZING?

The steps you take after washing your curls will make all the difference to their shape and texture. With the right products to keep frizz at bay, you'll enjoy your healthiest, bounciest mane yet. First up, assess the texture and pattern of your curls...

Are your curls tight and coarse? Then you’ll want to use richer products. Think balms and creams that eradicate frizz while keeping shrinkage at bay. NutriCurls Curlixir Balm is the ideal consistency; intensely nourishing, so dry curls are defined, primed and bouncy, ready for blow-drying or protective styles.

Are your curls fine or medium textured? That means lighter formulas are best. Airy foams and mousses will give your hair hold and make flyaways vanish, all without dragging curls down.

How to Apply Curly Hair Products

It’s important you apply frizz-defying styling products when the hair is still damp or wet from washing, so flyaways don’t get the chance to spring into place. How the product is applied is key. If enhancing the shape of curls is the goal, try gently scrunching in your mousse or balm to activate them. You don’t want to bend them out of shape, but you do want to tighten them up, so a delicate scrunch is needed, working section by section.

However, if you’re aiming to elongate curls, use the finger curl method. Twirl small sections of hair around your finger, then release downwards, taking care to follow the curl’s natural shape. Try both methods on different hair wash days to see what they prefer. One of the (many) benefits of working curls is how versatile they are; so many incredible styles are within your client’s reach.

HOW CAN YOU IMPROVE NATURAL CURLS?

To improve and maintain their natural curls in between washes, you will need to make some routine switch-ups – starting with dialing up moisture. Fine curls may not need extra hydration beyond hair wash day, but coarser and/or drier curls can benefit from nourishing top-ups. So, everyday or every other day you spritz in a weightless mist with an anti-frizz effect that levels up definition. For enhanced nourishment, you can also use NutriCurls Milky Waves leave-in spray. It’s packed with Jojoba Oil, so tresses feel softer but still full of bounce. The lightest misting is enough to refresh crunchy curls.

On top of that, know how important it is that you care for curls overnight. Your curl pattern can take a hit if you don’t protect it with the right sleep accessories. First up on the list is a silk pillowcase. Unlike cotton, it doesn’t absorb as much moisture out of the hair, and it also causes less friction. Cue less frizz and fewer flyaways. You might also want to try putting your hair in a pineapple. This protective style sees locks gathered at the top of the head and secured with a silk scrunchie, before a silk scarf or hair bonnet is wrapped over the top. If your follow this technique, don't tie the scrunchie too tight. For a boost of moisture, you can also mist in NutriCurls Milky Waves just before the scarf goes on.

Looking for more ways to take care of your hair? Discover our complete collection of Hair Care Guides, featuring tips for every type and concern.

* When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue.

** When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue. Instrumental test versus non-conditioning shampoo.