If you have textured hair, you can attest to the fact that caring for curls can take a lot of effort and energy–and the curlier your hair is, the more effort and energy it can take. 

Finding the right product combinations, styling techniques, and treatment cadence can take time. The tighter the curl, the dryer and more prone to breakage it is, so most curl care routines focus on hydration and protection. A foundational knowledge of your specific hair is the first step to finding the right routine, so understanding the type of curls you have and your hair porosity is essential.

Your ultimate curly hair routine

Once you know what kind of curls you’re working with, uncovering what kind of products are at your disposal and what ingredients to look for will also help ensure you get the best results from your curls.

Your ideal curly hair routine for vibrant, bouncy texture can be achieved in six steps:

1. Pre-poo: By nature, curlier hair tends to experience dryness and tangles. Using a pre-poo—aka, a formula that creates a barrier around your hair before you cleanse—can go a long way in helping to prevent breakage. Try applying a hair oil, a mask, or a regular conditioner to your locks before you shampoo helps to detangle, hydrate, and provide slip to your curls. 

2. Cleansing: Depending on your hair type, cleansing might look like a regular sudsing shampoo or a co-wash. Look for products that are free of sulfates and other harsh surfactants that can strip your strands of essential moisture. 

- Our Curl Charisma rice amino + avocado hydrating shampoo is a great shampoo for removing dirt, oil, bacteria, and product buildup without dehydrating your hair.

- Tighter curls and coils might enjoy using a co-wash in between regular shampoos to extend the time between traditional washes. The Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Shea Hydrating Co-wash is a great choice for a high-slip, hydrating cleanse.

Regardless of which cleansing product you choose, most people with curly hair find it beneficial to go a few days in between washing to keep from stripping their hair.

3. Treatment: Regular deep treatments are essential for curly hair health—and that includes treating your scalp as well as your strands. Because those with curly hair often go longer between washes than people with straight hair, they’re more prone to scalp buildup and flakes. 

- Treating your scalp to regular scalp treatment with the Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-exfoliating Shampoo can help to exfoliate and hydrate your scalp while increasing blood flow and reducing irritation and itchiness.

For the rest of your hair, a good balance of protein and moisture is key to maintaining healthy hair elasticity and shine. The Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask is scientifically proven to decrease hair breakage after two uses, so it can be a key tool for maintaining healthy, bouncy curls and coils.

 4. Styling: There are so many styling options for curly hair and making the right choice will often depend on your curl type and your desired outcome. A few staples:

- Curl creams (like the Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Leave-In Defining Creme) are great for providing hydration and definition, but offer the least amount of hold.

- Custards (like the Curl Charisma Chia + Flax Seed Coil Custard) are often thicker and richer than their creamy counterparts and are best suited for tighter curls and coils (think types 3B to 4C).

- Gels (like the Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Quinoa Frizz Control Gel) offer the highest hold of the three and are great for providing definition and shine. 

- Mousse and foams are great choices for looser curls and waves, as they provide light hold and definition without weighing the hair down. 

5. Protection: Sleeping with curly hair is never as simple as lying down and closing your eyes. Curls need to be protected from the tangling and breakage that can come from tossing and turning, as well as from dehydration often caused by cotton pillow cases. Investing in a silk pillowcase and wearing a silk scarf or silk-lined bonnet to bed can work wonders for waking up with frizz-free, healthy curls.

6. Refreshing: Going several days between washes generally means that your curls will likely need a pick-me-up on day two or three. This can be a simple as smoothing a bit of oil through your curls to help with frizz (try the Farewell Frizz Rosehip, Argan & Coconut Oil Blend to smooth the hair cuticle and replenish moisture) or as involved as re-wetting your hair, hydrating with a leave-in conditioner (our new Superfoods Avocado + Kiwi Mega Moisture 3-in-1 Leave-In Spray is perfect for this), and re-applying your stylers.

Experimentation is the key to finding the right routine for your curl type. Curly girls and guys know that your texture rarely looks the same every time you style it, so oftentimes, using products in a different order or applying in a new way can help you unlock your best hair day ever!