Tips for styling naturally curly hair

Anyone who was born with naturally curly hair knows that it can be both a blessing and a curse. Because it essentially grows in a zigzag formation, it takes longer to attain a certain length than it would if it were straight. It is also prone to dryness, and on humid days it seems like there's nothing you can do to keep it under control! But on the plus side, it's a look that is highly sought-after and can be absolutely stunning if you know how to style it properly.



First of all, keep in mind that curly hair almost always looks best when it is long, as the length allows for the curls to be properly weighed down. All long hair is beautiful, but long curly hair is nothing short of captivating! The best styles are those cut with layers, because the layers allow your hair to sit correctly and avoid the dreaded 'pyramid head'. Remember that a hairstylist who has curly hair herself is going to be your best bet for getting the ideal cut, and if you see a woman with perfect curly hair, don't be afraid to ask her who cuts it! You'll make her day and possibly find the ideal hairstylist, and there are few things more valuable than that.

Secondly, don't shampoo it every day or you'll risk drying it out further. Curly hair is usually more brittle than straight or wavy hair, so keeping the natural oils in place is a must. When you do shampoo, use products designed for your hair type, plus a good quality conditioner (salon quality is best). Blot your hair gently with a towel, apply a serum and allow it to dry naturally. Serums that contain 'cones' - i.e. silicones like dimethicone - are usually the way to go, but your hairstylist will be able to help you find the right one for your hair's needs.



Perhaps the biggest curly hair styling no-no is the hairbrush - if you own one, then toss it out now! Brushing curly hair will cause nothing but frizz, which is the last thing a curly girl wants. Using a wide-toothed comb or 'afro' comb is by far the best option, as you want to separate your curls, not obliterate them. Another major no-no is using the hottest setting on your hairdryer. As mentioned earlier, natural air-drying is the best choice (this goes for all hair types, not just the curly ones) but if you absolutely must blow-dry, then use it on the coolest setting, apply a heat-protective product and attach the diffuser.

Every now and then you'll get the urge to straighten your hair. That's okay, provided that you're not doing it every day; if you are then it's time that you embraced the beauty of your curls. Curly hair should be straightened no more than once a week. Investing in the best ionic straightener you can afford is essential - I always recommend the GHD, as a cheap and nasty version will kill your hair in the long run.



When it comes to putting your hair up, naturally curly haired women really are blessed because the body and texture needed to make updos look their best is built in to your hair. Romantic updos with a few tendrils hanging down look gorgeous and take a matter of minutes to create. Whether you use hairpins, a clip or a hair elastic is up to you; play with your hair in your leisure time and see what looks you can come up with. A half-up, half-down style is also a beautiful do for those with curls, and even a simple ponytail will look great if your hair is cut with layers. Whatever you do, don't use a rubber band, and if you put something in your hair that brings more than three hairs with it when it's removed, then throw it out immediately.

While there will still be days when your hair feels uncontrollable, just remember that what looks like a chaotic mess to you will be a sensual, romantic cloud to someone else. Embracing the wild beauty of your hair is a far superior course of action than trying to turn it into something that it's not. And why would you want lank, boring hair anyway? Curly hair is nothing short of enviable, so if it comes naturally to you, then you're very lucky indeed.



If you need more inspiration, check out my curly haired celebrity gallery, and get invaluable tips from other curly girls on internet hair forums - there's an excellent one at naturallycurly.com Here's to loving your curly goddess hair!

5 Tips to make the most of curly hair

Let It Grow:

If you’re thinking about that haircut, don’t. Curly hair looks sexier when it’s longer so take a shot at growing it out. As for that haircut – ask your hairdresser to cut it in layers so your hair is easier to manage and ends up looking fabulous. A good layered haircut for long curly hair is a classic look so don’t pick up those straightening irons yet!

Headbands Rule:

Look around you – everyone’s wearing a headband in some style form or fashion. But guess what, with curly hair you can look better in a headband than most other people out there. See headbands tend to flatten the hair so straight hair doesn’t look so good when it’s flat does it? But with curly hair, the flattening can work to your advantage. You can wear it anyway you like. But here’s something else I discovered. Put on a headband while your hair’s still damp and let it sit there for a while. Take it off later and you’ll see that your hair is perfectly set at your crown. So you’ll have great body yet it will stay in place at the top of your head! How cool!

The Updo:

Okay for all of your hair vocab challenged people – an updo is simply hair jargon for putting your hair up instead of letting it hang loose. Curly hair looks absolutely gorgeous in an updo. One of my favorite updos for curly hair is to use some bobby pins to arrange the curls at the top of the head. The circle of bobby pens should hold up the curls in such a way that the curls flow out like an elaborate bun. You can let a few strands stray loose to frame your face or put them up as well – it’s up to you. Add some glitz by decorating the updo with some clips and hair jewels.

The Wriggle:

The wriggle is a perfect curly hair look that works well for any occasion – casual or formal. Get your hands on some hair gel and hair shining serum. Blend them well together. While your hair is still damp, use one hand to pull it towards your face. While you’re doing this, use the free hand to “wriggle” your fingers over your head just the way you would if you gave yourself a head massage. This is to get the blended gel and serum into your hair. Shake your hair out so it doesn’t stick together and just let it be. Try not to use a comb or it will change the entire look.
Going French: The French twist is one of the classic hairstyles and with curly hair, you can rock it like no other. If you don’t know how to do it, get someone to do it for your once or watch someone doing it so you can learn. You need to make sure you pull your curls back as tightly as possibly to the back of your head to get the perfect Twist. Again, you can let some curls go and arrange them so that they flow from the top of your head, over the twist. This adds some drama to the look.