Summer is finally here, meaning natural curls are making their seasonal comeback, and with them the return of multipronged, post-shower hair care regimens to lock the shape and manage the frizz.
For veteran curl girls, a few tweaks to the routine may be needed as temperatures start to heat up. But most already have their step-by-step process nailed down. If you’re new to the texture club, it can be difficult to determine which products to use and in what order you should use them based on your hair type, especially as all new bids for the best curl routine roll in on the TikTok “For You Page” feed.
If you ask Philip Downing, creative director and hairstylist at Bed Head, he’ll tell you product choice and dosage are essential in the process — they separate the bouncy and hydrated from the dry and depleted. “No one shoe fits all — creams, gels, mousses and sprays all have their uses. Understanding your preferences and exactly what your hair needs is paramount,” Downing added.
Priorities should be cleansing, hydration and protection, added hairstylist Carissa Cortez. “Healthy curls start in the shower with a gentle cleanser and a moisturizing conditioner. After washing, apply products while the hair is still damp to help lock in moisture and encourage curl formation,” she said, noting that the products should be evenly distributed in a upward scrunching motion. “Hydration is the foundation of curl definition. When curls are properly moisturized, they naturally clump together and form more consistent patterns.”
Once the products are in place, a microfiber towel or a cotton T-shirt should be used to lightly squeeze any remaining water. “Ordinary bath towels can irritate the cuticle layer and make frizz even worse,” said Sherry Velarde, owner of Deseo Salon and BlowDry.
What many people don’t realize, Cortez continued, is that curly hair is more prone to dryness because the scalp’s natural oils don’t travel as easily down bendy strands. Frizz, on the other hand, the result of moisture absorbed from the surrounding environment. Keeping a smooth and hydrated cuticle — the outer layer of the hair — can block the moisture attachment.
“I recommend using nourishing products that help seal moisture into the hair while creating a lightweight barrier against humidity,” Cortez suggested. “Protective hairstyles, reducing excessive touching, and refreshing curls with a small amount of leave-in conditioner between washes can also help maintain definition during hot weather.”
Velarde added: “The common misconception that many people have is always touching their curls. Every time you touch your hair, it affects the shape of your curls. After drying your curls, try not to touch them too much.” But if you do want to add more definition, Velarde said you can apply the finger-coiling technique “to a few curls in the face area and crown.”
Because there’s not one product list that produces the perfect curls for everyone, it’s important to avoid the overuse of products in the pursuit of wavy texture. “The most successful curl routines aren’t about using less or more; they’re about using what works for you,” said Cortez. “When hair is balanced and healthy, curls can shine on their own, with products acting as support.”
“The star of the curl routine will always be the correct curl enhancing product for your hair type,” noted Downing. “Along with patience. The drying process is where the magic happens.”
