Curly hair routine for beginners (Revised)

Welcome to the world of curly hair care! If you’re a beginner looking to establish a solid routine for your curls, you’ve come to the right place. Caring for curly hair requires a different approach than straight or wavy hair, but with the right knowledge and techniques, you can unlock the full potential of your natural curls.

This guide will walk you through the essential steps and products needed to nurture and enhance your curls. From choosing the right shampoo and conditioner to embracing protective styles, we’ll provide you with valuable insights and tips to help you embark on your curly hair journey with confidence. Get ready to embrace your unique curls and embark on a transformative hair care experience!

How can beginners start a curly hair routine?

1. Find a shampoo and conditioner that is specifically formulated for curly hair.

As part of your curly hair routine for beginners, it’s important to find a shampoo and conditioner that are specifically formulated for curly hair. These products are designed to address the unique needs of curly hair, such as providing extra moisture, defining curls, and reducing frizz. Using a shampoo and conditioner made for curly hair can help enhance the health and appearance of your curls, making them more manageable and defined. Look for products labeled specifically for curly hair or those that mention moisturizing, hydrating, or enhancing curls on the packaging.

2. Start styling when hair is still wet.

Starting the styling process when your hair is still wet is an essential step in a curly hair routine for beginners. Wet hair is more pliable and easier to work with, allowing you to define and shape your curls. Applying styling products, such as curl creams or gels, to wet hair helps to lock in moisture and enhance your natural curl pattern. By styling your hair when it’s wet, you can encourage more defined and frizz-free curls as your hair dries. This technique sets the foundation for beautiful, well-defined curls and helps beginners achieve their desired curly hair look.

3. Leave your conditioner in your hair for a few minutes.

Leaving your conditioner in your hair for a few minutes is an important step in a curly hair routine for beginners. Conditioner helps to hydrate and nourish your curls, making them more manageable and reducing frizz. Allowing the conditioner to sit in your hair for a few minutes, gives the ingredients enough time to penetrate the hair shaft and provide maximum moisturization. This extra time also helps to detangle your curls, making them easier to comb through. Leaving the conditioner in allows for a deep conditioning treatment, leaving your curls softer, smoother, and more defined once rinsed out.

4. Detangle with care.

Detangling with care is a crucial step in a curly hair routine for beginners. Curly hair tends to be more prone to tangles, so it’s important to handle it gently to prevent breakage and maintain curl definition. Start by applying conditioner or a detangling spray to your hair, which helps to soften and lubricate the strands. Then, use a wide-toothed comb or your fingers to gently work through knots, starting from the ends and working your way up. Take your time and be patient, avoiding any forceful pulling or tugging. This careful detangling process helps to minimize damage, preserve curl formation, and keep your curls healthy and intact.

5. Gently press or squeeze your hair to remove any extra water.

After rinsing out the conditioner, gently pressing or squeezing your hair helps remove excess water without disrupting your curl pattern. Avoid rough towel-drying, as it can cause frizz and disrupt the natural shape of your curls. Instead, use a soft microfiber towel or an old t-shirt to gently press or scrunch your hair, starting from the roots and working your way to the ends. This technique helps to remove the bulk of the water while keeping your curls intact. By minimizing water weight and maintaining your curl formation, you’ll achieve bouncier, defined curls with reduced frizz during the drying process.

6. Apply styling product.

Applying a styling product is a vital step in a curly hair routine for beginners. It helps enhance and define your curls while providing hold and reducing frizz. After gently squeezing out excess water from your hair, take a small amount of your preferred styling product, such as a curl cream, gel, or mousse, and evenly distribute it throughout your curls. Make sure to work the product from roots to ends, ensuring every strand is coated. This will help to enhance your curl pattern, reduce frizz, and provide structure and hold throughout the day. Choose products specifically formulated for curly hair to achieve the best results.

7. Separate and define.

The step of separating and defining your curls is essential in a curly hair routine for beginners. Once you have applied your styling product, take some time to separate individual curls and define their shape. You can do this by gently using your fingers to carefully pull apart any clumped or tangled curls, encouraging them to form distinct ringlets or coils. By separating and defining your curls, you enhance their natural texture and promote a more uniform and well-defined look. 

This step helps to create volume, prevent hair from looking weighed down, and showcase the beauty of your individual curls.

8. Diffuse or air dry.

The step of diffusing or air drying your hair is a crucial part of a curly hair routine for beginners. After applying styling products and separating your curls, you have two main options for drying your hair: diffusing or air drying. 

If you choose to diffuse, attach a diffuser to your blow dryer and set it to low or medium heat. Use the diffuser in a scrunching motion, lifting your curls up toward the scalp to encourage volume and definition. The diffuser helps to evenly distribute airflow, reducing frizz and promoting faster drying without disrupting your curl pattern.

Alternatively, you can choose to air dry your hair by simply allowing it to dry naturally without using any heat. This method takes longer but can result in less frizz and a more natural appearance. To air dry effectively, avoid touching or manipulating your hair too much while it dries to maintain your curl formation.

Whether you decide to diffuse or air dry, both methods allow your curls to dry in their natural shape, helping to enhance their definition and reduce frizz.

9. Gently squeeze and loosen your hair to remove any stiffness or crunchiness.

After your hair is completely dry, it’s important to gently squeeze and loosen your curls to remove any stiffness or crunchiness that may have occurred from the styling products. Start by using your hands to gently scrunch your hair from the ends upwards, releasing any product cast and promoting natural movement in your curls. Avoid being too aggressive or rough, as this can disrupt the curl pattern and create frizz. The goal is to create soft, touchable curls that retain their shape and bounce. By gently squeezing and loosening your hair, you’ll achieve a more natural and relaxed look while maintaining the definition and structure of your curls.

10. Refresh your curls

Refreshing your curls is an important step in a curly hair routine for beginners to revive and maintain their shape throughout the day. As the day progresses, curls can lose their definition and become limp or frizzy. To refresh your curls, you can use a few different techniques. One option is to lightly mist your hair with water or a curl-refreshing spray. This helps to reactivate the product in your hair and revitalize your curls.

Next, gently scrunch your hair to encourage the curls to bounce back. You can also apply a small amount of leave-in conditioner or a lightweight styling product to redefine and tame any unruly curls. By refreshing your curls, you’ll bring them back to life and keep them looking fabulous throughout the day.

11. Plop or pineapple at night.

Plopping or pineappling your hair at night is a beneficial step in a curly hair routine for beginners to preserve and protect your curls while you sleep. Plopping involves wrapping your hair in a soft microfiber towel or a cotton T-shirt to create a “plop” on top of your head. This technique helps to prevent frizz, maintain curl definition, and promote volume overnight.

Pineappling, on the other hand, involves loosely gathering your hair at the crown of your head and securing it with a scrunchie or silk scarf. This method keeps your curls from getting flattened or crushed while you sleep, preserving their shape and bounce.

12. Avoid heat styling.

Avoiding heat styling is a crucial step in a curly hair routine for beginners to maintain the health and integrity of your curls. Heat styling tools, such as straighteners, curling irons, and blow dryers, can cause damage to your hair strands, leading to dryness, frizz, and breakage. The high temperatures strip moisture from your curls, resulting in loss of definition and natural texture. By avoiding heat styling, you allow your curls to thrive in their natural state, promoting moisture retention and minimizing damage.

Embrace your natural texture and opt for air drying or diffusing techniques instead. If you do need to use heat occasionally, ensure you apply a heat protectant spray beforehand to minimize the potential damage. 

13. Embrace protective styles.

Embracing protective styles is an important step in a curly hair routine for beginners to promote hair health and minimize damage. Protective styles involve wearing hairstyles that shield your curls from environmental stressors, manipulation, and friction. These styles can include braids, twists, buns, or updos.

By opting for protective styles, you reduce the amount of daily manipulation and exposure to elements that can lead to breakage, tangling, and frizz. Protective styles also help to retain moisture in your hair, preventing dryness and promoting growth. Additionally, they offer versatility and allow you to experiment with different looks while giving your curls a break from frequent styling. 

In conclusion,

 Establishing a curly hair routine for beginners is key to unlocking the full potential of your natural curls. By following a series of essential steps, such as using curl-specific products, starting styling on wet hair, and detangling with care, you can achieve well-defined, moisturized, and healthy curls.

Avoiding heat styling, embracing protective styles, and incorporating techniques like diffusing or air drying further enhance the health and appearance of your curls. Remember to be patient and experiment with different products and methods to find what works best for your unique hair type.