I honestly can’t remember a time when I didn’t rely on a curling iron or hot tool as part of my hair routine. In high school, I spent most mornings painstakingly trying to get my bangs to curl just right, fighting the stubborn cowlick in the center of my forehead. For years, I thought my natural texture was nothing but frizz, so I defaulted to heat styling almost every day.
Earlier this year, while getting my hair colored, my stylist asked if I ever wore my hair curly. I laughed and said no. I assumed years of heat damage had completely ruined my curl pattern. She gave me a few samples of products and encouraged me to give it a try. With her encouragement (and after watching a few Instagram tutorials), I finally decided to give my curls a chance…and I couldn’t believe the results!
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that it’s all about understanding your hair type. My hair is thick yet fine, which means it does best with layering products that won’t weigh it down. It’s also dry and prone to breakage (going blonde last year didn’t help!), so hydration is a top priority for me.
With some trial and error, I’ve finally found a simple routine. Here’s what’s been working for me:
My Curly Hair Routine
1 – Shampoo/Conditioner & Masks
I’ve tried a few brands, and I always come back to Kérastase. Their Curl Manifesto line gives me that balance of definition and softness without weighing my hair down. On days when my curls feel extra dry, I use the Kérastase Nutritive Hair Masque, which makes my hair feel hydrated and so smooth. I also alternate with the Virtue Restorative Hydrating Treatment Mask, which has proteins that really help strengthen my hair after the damage from going blonde last year. I use this about once a week. Using these masks regularly has been a game-changer for keeping my curls bouncy instead of dry and brittle.
2 – Prep & Leave-in Treatments
When I wear my hair curly, I try to keep my post-shower products simple so I’m not layering too many things. The Aveda Be Curly Curl Enhancer Primer is lightweight but powerful. It preps my curls to hold their shape without leaving them sticky or heavy. Next, I go in with the Aveda Curl Cream, which adds just the right amount of moisture for soft curls. Finally, I lock everything in with the Aveda Curl Gel for hold. This combination has been the sweet spot for my fine-yet-dense hair type. The biggest rule here? Once I scrunch in these products, I DO NOT touch my curls until they’re completely dry. If I do, it instantly breaks them apart and turns into frizz.
3 – Break the Cast
Once my hair is fully dry (which takes a very long time), I go back in and scrunch from the ends up to my roots to “break the cast” of the gel. This takes the crunchiness of the gel away and leaves me with soft, springy curls. If I’m in a rush, I’ll use a diffuser on my roots only (this is the diffuser attachment I use) but I’ve noticed I get a lot less frizz when I let it air-dry. But some days I just don’t have the time or patience to wait that long!
Maintaining Between Washes
Day 2 (and beyond) is always the trickiest part of curly hair. The product that saves me is the Kérastase Curl Manifesto Refresh Spray. A quick mist of this spray brings back the definition of my curls, especially the front pieces that lose their shape while I sleep. I’ll also smooth a tiny amount of the Virtue Healing Oil through the mids and ends of my hair when it feels dry. This adds shine and softness without making it feel greasy. And, if you haven’t tried sleeping with a silk bonnet (plus a silk pillowcase), it makes a huge difference for keeping curls intact and frizz-free overnight.
I’m still learning as I go, but embracing my curls has been such a refreshing change from years of daily heat styling. The routine isn’t perfect, but it’s given me soft, defined curls that I feel excited to wear out…something I never thought I’d say!
If you’re just starting out on your own curly journey, be patient with yourself and your hair. It may take a little experimenting to find the right balance, but once you do, it’s worth it!
