6 Pro Tips For Taming Naturally Curly Hair

“Managing” is a word that gets thrown around a lot when curly girls talk about their beauty routine. Women with naturally curly hair and springy or kinky locks are constantly told that their mane needs to be flat ironed, weighed down, chemically relaxed, covered up, tied back and put through the wringer to be everything that nature never intended. But we disagree! So, ladies, put away the flat irons, give your hair a rest and show off those amazing curls! We have asked members of our EDUCATION team –  Nathan Gorman, Wade Blackford, Juha-Matti Manninnen and Massimo Morello, six questions that can turn “managing” curls into a simple haircare routine.

MASSIMO: Styling curly hair can be a challenge as everybody has different regimes for drying and styling. In my opinion, the less we disturb the hair the better it is; just use a product to control the frizz and define the curls.

JUHA-MATTI: I usually recommend air drying if possible, so curls can form without disturbance. Using a hair net is a great help when air drying or sleeping, as it prevents the hair from frizzing up.

WADE: Get every strand of hair! If you miss a section, it will really show up.

MASSIMO: The nape and temple tend to be forgotten areas, but that is where frizz comes out first (since that’s where we sweat most). Applying the products on top isn’t enough; distribute them evenly in sections, then comb through them.

NATHAN: People with curly, coarse hair should apply the product when it’s wet, as this easily distributes the products and tends to make the hair behave better.

JUHA-MATTI: If the hair is wet, comb it through with a TEXTURE.COMB so you don’t overly disturb the natural flow of the hair. If the hair is dry, apply products using your hands since a brush, or a tight comb will encourage frizziness and unruly texture.

NATHAN: Use a TEXTURE.COMB in the shower while you condition or treat your hair. Be gentle, and don’t comb at all when the hair is dry or drying! 

MASSIMO: My favourite way to detangle is with a damp hand or the tip of the TEXTURE.COMB. If you force the curls, you end up destroying the definition and get frizz again. So, split the hair into parts, and gently start detangling section by section.

JUHA-MATTI: Detangle when hair is wet with UN.TANGLED spray, then scrunch the preferred styling product into the hair. That way, you can manage to get perfect curls after removing the knots.

WADE: Use the end of a TAIL.COMB or chopstick to pull the tangles apart. To battle frizz, don’t comb or brush!

WADE: This is more of an individual choice. It all depends on how you like your hair to feel and how your hair reacts to being washed. Hair texture is not the only thing that determines how often should anyone wash their hair.

NATHAN: If the hair is fine, wash more often because “weak” curls need reactivation. Something like RE.STORE of the REPAIR regimen is fantastic for curly hair as it is a treatment that cleanses and reconstructs damaged strands and split ends. Generally, I’d advise washing hair no more than twice a week for thick curly hair.

JUHA-MATTI: It all depends on how everyone’s hair and scalp are working. That’s why every hair type and texture should commit to scalp care. For example, in Northern Europe, where I live, people with finer hair texture people wash 3 times a week, while those with extra curly or kinky hair can get away with washing it

WADE: The cut is a big contributing factor in how curls will react. For example, cutting with the curl will give a softer cleaner look, and cutting against the curl will give a more textured feel.

JUHA-MATTI: If you want defined and frizz-free curls with a lot of volume, remove weight by dot thinning and following the natural curl formation. I wouldn’t recommend traditional layering because it will encourage frizz.

NATHAN: There is no point in stretching out hair and cutting it into a straight line as the texture springs back differently. This is where the KEVIN.MURPHY CURVED.SCISSORS are so groundbreaking – you can cut and enhance the texture as you remove length and create shape!

JUHA-MATTI: Curly people usually have dryer strands because highly textured hair is more porous, causing frizz and tangles. Conditioning should be a top priority since dry hair also is more prone to breaking, and the HYDRATE.ME line is great for keeping curls looking defined and shiny.

NATHAN: For instant gratification between days, it’s all about DOO.OVER. It is the ultimate styling product for the longevity of style.

WADE: I am all for KILLER.CURLS! It gives a strong hold, definition and touchable curls that won’t frizz, so you can fearlessly run your fingers through the hair. Regardless of your hair type, it gives curly strands the support and boost they need. But if your hair is fine and requires more “bounce”, try KILLER.WAVES.

MASSIMO: For a definition, hold and frizz control, I recommend defining anti-frizz creme –  EASY.RIDER mixed with curl-enhancing MOTION.LOTION. However, for short cuts, HAIR.RESORT lotion and/or HAIR.RESORT.SPRAY offers texture and control that lasts all day!