Have you ever seen a curly hair routine on TikTok that made you question…everything? You are not alone. There's a trend for every texture, from loose 2A waves to tight 4C curls. curly hair a routine that promises unprecedented bounce, clarity and shine. And although everyone curl type deserves special attention, most programs use the same basic formula. CurlyTok has a lot of great advice, but if you're expecting a whole new head of hair to grow the first time you try a new method, you may be disappointed. That's why we brought in the experts to break down the essential steps to any beautiful curly hair routine, as well as give insight on how to style it.
Ahead you will find…
What steps should be part of every curly hair care routine?
Clear
“Curly hair care should always include a clarifying shampoo to remove product residue,” celebrity hairstylist and curly hair expert. Peaceful Jose tells Glamor. Alternatively, if you're trying the Curly Girl method or prefer hydration, you can use a co-wash – cleansing conditioner.
Condition and unraveling
Once you've lathered up, you'll want to lock in the moisture and detangle your hair while it's still damp. “I would use Kristin Ess Ultra-Moisturizing Curl Revitalizing Conditioner to hydrate and detangle, working from ends to roots,” says Sabrina Porschecelebrity hairstylist of the Kristin Ess Hair Artistry Team.
Address
Jose recommends including a scalp serum in every curly hair routine “to promote balance and healthy growth.” To retain moisture, she also recommends adding moisturizing hair mask for deep nutrition or leave-in conditioner straight from the shower.
Dry
Most curly hair treatments combine drying and styling in one step, with products and techniques working together to maximize curl shape and definition as hair dries. Instead of a regular towel, which causes friction against the hair, which can lead to brittle and frizzy hairtry a microfiber towel or even a T-shirt to remove excess water from your curls.
Jose says that using a diffuser can speed up drying time and “help define curls and minimize frizz while drying.” But if you'd rather keep it cool, Porsche says you can also air-dry with a curl mousse, gel, or cream (depending on your texture), and use hands-on techniques like curling to perfect your curls' shape.
What factors should you consider when creating a curly hair look?
Many individual factors, including curl type, hair thickness, and time commitment, will help determine the products and methods you use in your personalized curling routine. But experts say considering one factor—one that isn't so obvious—can make a big difference to your results.
Porosity
“The first thing you should pay attention to is your hair porositywhich determines how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture,” says Jose. Not sure what your porosity level is? You can do a quick “strand test” to determine: She's Diaz-Santingeneral manager 5 Salon Spasays: Place a clean lock of hair in a glass of water; if it sinks to the bottom, you have highly porous hair; if the strand floats at the top, your hair has low porosity; if it floats somewhere in the middle, you have medium porosity hair.
Now back to the personalized approach to caring for curly hair: “If you have low-porosity hair, you'll want to use a light product and not get too hot,” says Porsche. “If you have medium hair, your hair will likely benefit from most products. If you have high porosity hair, you'll need to use heavier oil- or cream-based products to help maintain frizz and lock in that moisture.”
What are the common mistakes when styling curly hair?
Rushing the process
The golden rule of curly hair care is that you need to be patient with your curls, both in the short and long term. First, “you want your curls to be completely dry before heading out the door to not only protect them from frizz, but also to prolong the curl's development throughout the day,” says Jocelyn Smith, a stylist and senior director of education at the company. Salon Ouidad.
