You Go, Curl

Boys and girls with curls, you know your hair can be hard to handle.

Curly hair requires delicate handling, tons of moisture and the right products to keep ringlets intact. But once you master your own curly hair routine, you’ll love your natural texture more than ever.

Priority No. 1

All hair types need moisture, which is usually provided by natural scalp oils and distributed through hair thanks to brushing. But curly-haired folks can’t brush out their curls without going full frizz and ruining the ringlets. (Usually, frizzy hair is a result of curls needing more moisture, so this kind of feels like a lose-lose, no?) Besides conditioning, oils and leave-in products are your best friends for hydrating curls.

Add an oil for moisture and shine. SLEEK & SHINE MOROCCAN SLEEK OIL TREATMENT FROM GARNIER FRUCTIS ($5.99, garnierusa.com) is inexpensive and smells heavenly.

Leave-in conditioners smooth and soften throughout the day to prevent frizz. CAROL’S DAUGHTER HAIR MILK ORIGINAL LEAVE-IN MOISTURIZER ($20, carolsdaughter. com) is one highly rated option.

From Shower To Slumber

Maybe you’ve had Holy Grail products nailed down for a while, but we’ve got some game-changing steps to add to your routine.

› Opt for sulfate-free shampoos and silicone-free conditioners. Silicone adheres to strands to mimic smoothness, and sulfate shampoos remove that layer during your next shower. But this process means sulfates may strip away silicones and some of hair’s natural oil, and silicones weigh down the hair, meaning limp curls. Google silicone-free and sulfate-free formulas to find one right for you. (Many curly girls don’t use shampoo at all, so research going no-poo while you’re at it.)

› Post shower, gently blot curls dry using a t-shirt, not a towel. Fibrous towels cause frizz by roughing up your curls, but a smooth, absorbent cotton T-shirt is gentler.

› As for bedtime, hair pros suggest sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase. It won’t cling to curls and pull them apart like other fabrics.

Perfect Products

Curly girl products are personal—unfortunately, you may have to try one or two (or 10) before finding the perfect fit. When shopping, just keep these guidelines in mind to narrow down the right goo for you:

1 2 3

Visit naturallycurly.com to determine your curl pattern before hitting the hair care aisle. For example, type 3 curls do best with cream and gel formulas. Knowing what works means you won’t waste your money on the wrong item.

If you can, purchase travel or sample sizes to test new products. Invest in the full size only after it has proven it’s right for your hair.