Curls are a wonderful and enviable texture to be blessed with, but the secret to having a good hair day with your curly locks is knowing exactly how to style them. Learning how to work with your curls is largely a process of trial and error as you find out what compliments your individual texture, but there are simple tips you can employ into your routine that will make wrangling your curls that much easier.
We spoke with Julien Farel, celebrity hair stylist and Chairman & Founder of Julien Farel Group to get his top tips on caring for your curly locks and ensuring a good hair day everyday, and with his advice your curls will look luscious and healthy in no time.
Only Shampoo The Scalp
Washing your hair properly will set the stage for styling your curls, so Farel suggests only applying shampoo to the roots so as not to weigh down the length of your strands. “Wet your curly hair, apply shampoo to the scalp of your head rather than the ends, add water after massaging it into the scalp and hair,” he explains. “Comb through and rinse very well.” Rinsing is key for all hair textures, but especially with curls as the residue of the product can weigh down your locks, leaving the curl pattern limp and lifeless.
Style When Wet
Tending to your curls while they’re still wet will allow the texture to set in place, so Farel recommends scrunching your strands before they’ve dried to set the stage for a great hair day. “When styling your hair, always start styling when the hair is wet and scrunch curls only when hair is super wet,” he suggests. Finding a good mousse for scrunching can help to lock the texture into place, maintaining coils throughout the duration of the day as they dry.
Leave-In Conditioner Is Key
Keeping your strands soft and supple is essential for shining curls, and a leave-in conditioner is one of the best ways to achieve this. “When you use a diffuser, apply a light leave-in conditioner before drying on very wet hair,” explains Farel. “Comb the product through, do not move the curls around when drying, be patient and let the heat design the curls.” Leave-in conditioner can also help if you plan to air dry your hair, eliminating any frizz that may otherwise occur. However, if you opt for this route, Farel warns not to touch your hair until it has fully dried so as not to disrupt the curls.
Keep It Hydrated
Along with using leave-in conditioner, making sure to keep your hair hydrated is another key step for maintaining the strength and shine of your curls, keeping them from appearing frizzy and dull. “To enhance your natural curls, it's all about discovering what works the best for your hair & your curls; that starts with the right tools and right products,” Farel notes. “Everybody has unique curls, so what is good for you may not work for someone else.” This is another great reminder to drink plenty of water throughout the day—this will reflect in your hair and skin.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals
There are certain ingredients that commonly appear in hair care products and actually pose a significant threat to your locks. Among these ingredients are triethanolamine or TEA, sodium lauryl sulfate, and even formaldehyde. Making sure to keep these ingredients, and parabens, out of your curly hair routine will not only protect your health, but your strands as well. “Parabens are known as curly hair kryptonite; parabens are often used in beauty products as preservatives,” warns Farel. “Apart from causing cancer, preservatives have been known to compromise the integrity of the hair and scalp. Curly hair is fragile and easily frazzled and dehydrated, so using products with parabens will just make it worse.”
