How to Have Curly Hair

You can have curly hair with nearly any hair type.

Nearly anyone can have curly hair, no matter what her hair texture is, with the right tools and products. If your hair has a natural wave or curl to it, all it needs is plenty of moisture and some coaxing for you to have curly, frizz-free hair. Those with naturally straight hair will likely need to use a curling iron and a setting spray to achieve ringlets or soft waves.

Things You'll Need

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Leave-in conditioner
• Styling lotion
• Curl enhancing cream
• Heat protectant spray
• Finishing spray or cream
• Hairspray
• Blow dryer with nozzle or diffuser
• Round brush
• Clips
• Curling iron

Instructions

For Those With Naturally Wavy / Curly Hair

1. 

   You can make your curly hair look its best.

   Wash and condition your hair with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Naturally curly or wavy hair tends to be drier than straight hair. Additional moisture will help to keep your curls shiny and frizz free.

2. Apply a leave-in conditioner from the middle of your hair to the tips, concentrating on the ends. This will help to keep the bottom of your curls from becoming fuzzy and encourage them to retain their shape.

3. Work in a creamy styling lotion throughout your hair, making sure not to apply too much product to your roots. If you have problems getting defined curls, a curl boosting mouse or gel may be helpful.

4. Twist small to medium-size sections of your hair around your finger all over your head. This will help to give you more defined curls while working with the natural texture of your hair.

5. Spray a heat protectant spray all over your hair, focusing on the ends, if you plan to blow-dry your hair.

6. Dry your hair. If your holds a curl well, you can let it air dry, which is healthier for your hair and less time consuming. If you need to use a blow dryer, attach a diffuser to the end and gently scrunch your hair up while drying it.

7. Work a finishing cream or spray a shine spray throughout your hair. Make sure not to run your fingers through it, as this can break up the curls. If you are using a finishing cream, rub the product into your hands and gently scrunch it throughout your hair. To break up ringlets that are too tight, gently rake your finger through the underside of your hair to loosen the curls without breaking them.

For Those With Naturally Straight Hair

1. 

   You can curl your straight hair with the right tools and products.

   Wash and conditioner your hair with a curl enhancing or volumizing shampoo and conditioner. It is important not to use any products that will weigh your straight hair down, as this will make it difficult for your locks to maintain a curl.

2. Work a curl enhancing styling lotion throughout your hair, avoiding your roots. If you have very thick hair, apply the product in sections to make sure you evenly coat your locks.

3. Spray a heat protectant spray throughout your hair. This will help to protect your hair from the heat of the blow dryer and increase shine.

4. Blow-dry your hair thoroughly. If it is naturally thick, you can simply use your fingers or a paddle brush as you blow your hair dry. For thinner hair that lacks volume, use a large, round barrel brush and blow-dry your hair in sections using a nozzle attachment on the blow-dryer. When drying, pull the hair out and up to increase volume at the roots.

5. Lightly spray your hair again with a heat protectant spray and allow it to soak in.

6. Section your hair into three parts: one on either side of your face and one in the back.

7. Curl your hair with a curling iron starting in the back at the bottom and working your way up in 1 to 2 inch sections; the smaller the section, the tighter the curl. After wrapping each section around the curling iron, hold the hair there for 10 to 15 seconds, depending on how difficult it is to curl your hair. After you finish the back section, begin working on the sides near your face, working from the bottom of the section to the top.

8. Spray your hair with a light to medium hold hairspray to lock the curl.

Tips & Warnings

• For more defined curls, use a smaller curling iron. If you want looser curls or waves, try a larger barrel iron.

References

• Naturally Curly; How to Use a Hair Diffuser for Curly Hair; Suzanne Shroeder; December 2010
• Woman's Day; How to Create a Curly Hairdo; Melissa Matthews; November 2010