Oh, those curls! Everybody who doesn’t have them tells you how jealous they are, but they have no idea how difficult caring for curly hair can be. Don’t worry—we do. We totally understand the struggle and have come up with some curly hair hacks that will help you better manage those beautiful curls.

By the way, we know the effort it takes and we’re still jealous.

Haircare routine for beautiful natural curls

Pick the right stylist

Your first step is to find a knowledgeable stylist who specializes in curly hair. There’s an art to working with curly hair and special training is essential to becoming a master. 

Not only do you want a cut that’s designed for your curls, but you also want someone you can see regularly for trims. Split ends can make curly hair look frizzy in a heartbeat, so having the ends cleaned up every six weeks or so helps keep things manageable.

Combing

The next step is to start every day with a quick combing before you begin the rest of your hair routine. Start at the ends of your hair and work your way up to detangle. We recommend trying to find a nice, wide-toothed comb for best results. 

Learn haircare alchemy

Get crafty with your products to find what works best for you and your curls.

For example, if you tend to have flyaways and feel your curls need a little boost to keep up with the rest of your hair, you might need to look into changing up your products. We recommend mixing a little of your favorite styling mousse with N° 77 Leave-In to achieve sleek hair that won’t flatten your curl.

Use a serum

You can maybe skip the entire alchemy thing if you have a great serum that defines and softens your curls. Just pump a few squirts into your hands, rub them together and then work them through your hair.

Sleep with a pineapple

Now that sounds weird, doesn’t it? The pineapple actually refers to a hairstyle—not the fruit. 

Flip your head upside down and gather all your hair in your hands at the very top of your scalp. Then, turn yourself right side up and secure that hair loosely with a soft hair tie. When you sleep, this will keep your curls intact as well as add some body and volume.

Learn the right way to blow dry

Everyone with curls has done this at least once. You just aim the blow dryer at your head and work as fast as you can. 

The problem is when you do that the curls take on a life of their own and look like they’re standing on end, ready to flee your scalp. Just about nothing can bring them back down, except re-wetting them and starting all over

However, the blow dryer doesn’t have to be your enemy. By learning how to use your diffuser, you can safely dry your hair while keeping natural curl division and preventing frizz.

Stay hydrated

Moisturizing your scalp and drinking water helps your hair stay healthy and fights frizz. Dehydration can affect curly hair even more so than straight hair, so it’s important to be extra diligent about keeping yourself hydrated.

Eat for your hair

Discover the delicious foods that are also good for your hair and will give it the protein and moisture it needs—and then make sure you’re incorporating those into your diet.

For example, one of the best foods you can eat for your hair is lentils. They are low in fat but are high in protein and dietary fiber. They make for a great addition to this Brown Rice Bowl with Lentils, Caramelized Onions & Fried Egg recipe and have the added hair boost we love.

Final thoughts

Embrace your curls! We understand they’re not always quite as “effortless” as they look, but with time and the right products, you can keep them looking naturally amazing all year long.

And remember that having flawless curly locks requires proper hydration. So make sure you’re drinking enough water and using a proper conditioner with styling products that won’t dry your hair out.

We know it takes work, but you’ve got the hair everybody wants—enjoy it.