New curls, new you! Part of the joy of curly hair is the many ways you can style it, whether you’re looking to embrace a textured updo or leave your curls loose and bouncy. But, before you style, it’s important to know how to care for your curls. Learning how to look after curly hair with the right haircare and styling techniques can take a little practice – but the payoff is worth it. Because of the shape and fibre of each follicle, curly hair can be drier, thinner and more porous than straight hair. Given this, it’s so important to embrace the natural characteristics of your hair. Your journey to healthy, hydrated, and stylish curls starts here.
If you’re wondering how to style curly hair, your first step is to understand what keeps your hair nourished and the products that can maintain healthy strands. With quality haircare, you can promote curl health while styling to your preference. To empower you to care for your curls, the haircare experts at Shark will walk you through different curl types, curl porosity, and styling curly hair.
Understanding your curl type
The beauty of knowing your curl type is that you have a better idea of its texture and how you can style it. There are a variety of curl types, all with their own unique texture, shape and haircare routine. Typically, curly hair is split in three types:
- Wavy
- Curly
- Coily
Among haircare aficionados, curly hair can be understood with numbers (2-4) and letters (a-c). The general rule is the higher the number, the curlier the hair is, while the letter represents the width of the individual curls.
Knowing the tightness of your curls is important when determining how to look after curly hair, as moisture and nutrients will take longer to travel down tighter curls. To support your haircare, we’ll unpack the subcategories of curly hair.
Wavy hair: 2a, 2b and 2c.
This type sits flat on the head and has less volume at the root of each hair follicle. Wavy hair mimics an ‘S’ shape as it grows.
Curly hair: 3a, 3b and 3c.
This hair type has slightly more defined curls. People with 3a type hair have regularly forming curls that are stretched out, while 3c hair may look like tight ringlets or corkscrews.
Coily hair: 4a, 4b and 4c.
Coily hair is sometimes called ‘afro textured’ hair and can feel soft or spongy. The strands of this hair type are very tight, creating small curls or zig zags right from the root.
What is curl porosity?
Porosity is your hair’s natural capacity to absorb and retain moisture. The porosity of your hair is important to consider when styling curly hair, as it can be affected by the products you use. The porosity of curly hair is influenced by the structure of your hair follicles, which are made up of three different layers:
Cuticle: The smooth protective outer layer that’s made up of overlapping cells.
Cortex: A thick layer that contains proteins and the pigment that colours your hair.
Medulla: The soft inner layer of the follicle.
For hair to be nourished and hydrated, nutrients and moisture need to be able to pass through the cuticle and reach the cortex. At the same time, if the cuticle is too easy to pass through, the follicle may struggle to retain moisture. Typically, curly hair is highly porous, meaning moisture is absorbed and lost quickly. Knowing how to look after curly hair involves finding ways to impart hydration into your hair, while reducing moisture loss. Choosing hair stylers that minimise heat damage is a great way to maintain moisture and improve curl longevity.
How to style curly hair?
When supported with the right products and haircare routine, styling can be a breeze. In learning how to look after curly hair, there are a variety of steps you can take to visibly improve the shine, volume and buoyancy of each strand. The team at Shark have curated the following tips to help you celebrate the uniqueness of your waves, curls or coils.
1. Have the right products on
Quality products that minimise heat damage are ideal for styling curly hair. Heat damage can singe the limited moisture in curly hair, causing breakage. Our Shark SpeedStyle is a high-velocity dryer that can quickly tame frizz, elevate volume and add shine. The diffuser attachment is designed to de-frizz hair and help your natural curls rest.
If you want to elevate your hair’s curl and bounce, another great option is the lightweight and ultra-versatile Shark FlexStyle. The FlexStyle measures heat 1,000 times per second to automatically self-adjust to ambient temperature and keep your curls safe from heat damage.
2. Dry hair with a microfibre towel
If you’ve ever wondered how to look after curly hair when it’s wet, we recommend trying a microfibre towel. Microfibre is gentle and reduces the friction that happens when touching your hair. Friction can tug or snag on your hair, causing unnecessary breakage. They’re also excellent for coarse, curly hair, as they only remove the excess moisture from your hair, promoting better moisture retention and smoothness.
3. Comb hair properly with wide tooth comb
A wide tooth comb is the gentlest way to detangle your curls. Regularly using a wide tooth comb can help distribute your natural oils so that hydration and nutrients are spread evenly throughout your hair. For styling curly hair with a comb, here’s some rules to follow:
- Always comb when your hair is wet
- Go against the direction of your natural curl pattern
- Comb your ends first and work your way up towards the root
4. Protect curls during sleep
There are a few things you can do to look after your curls during sleep. The following techniques reduce friction on your hair, encourage moisture retention and generally help you get a peaceful night’s sleep:
- Sleep on a silk pillowcase
- Secure your hair with loose twists or braids
- Apply a leave-in conditioner overnight (check that any products you leave in your curls are safe for overnight use)
We hope you enjoyed learning how to style curly hair. Next, discover how to style fine and thin hair types.
