Curating the perfect haircare routine can be a bit of a challenge. And just when you think you’ve found the perfect product combination, in comes the weather to throw you off your game.
Curly hair in particular can be substantially harder to cater to. There are so many mistakes you can make in trying to care for curly hair that sometimes it feels like a higher power is calling the shots on whether your curls will behave or go haywire.
As winter approaches, you’ll no doubt be battling endless frizz, split ends and a scalp dryer than the Sahara desert.
So we’ve created an everyday haircare guide to help you on your way to the perfect curly hair day.
Keep washing to a minimum
Yep, you read that right.
Your hair (or more accurately, your scalp) produces natural oils to keep your strands hydrated and healthy. Washing your hair too much will strip these oils away, leaving your hair prone to damage and breakage.
Washing once or twice a week with a sulphate-free shampoo should do the trick. And if you find your scalp gets a little too oily, add an exfoliating shampoo once a week to remove any buildup of sebum or dirt.
Oh, and don’t skimp on the conditioner — it’s essential to keep your locks looking healthy, feeling nourished and staying protected from the elements.
If you’re feeling like your current wash routine isn’t doing the trick, try TikTok’s go-to curly girl method for frizz-free, healthy curls.
Don’t skip the curl cream
When your hair is freshly washed, apply a generous layer of curl cream. This will hydrate your hair cuticles whilst also clumping your waves together for a natural, beachy curl.
The right curl cream will also smooth your waves and prevent strands from tangling.
Hask Curl Care Curl Defining Cream, $17 at Priceline
Briogeo Curl Charisma, $40 at MECCA
Ditch the brush
Using a brush on curly hair can damage your strands and lead to unwelcome frizz. Opt for a wide-tooth comb instead, and only comb when your hair is wet.
To get rid of stubborn knots, start near the ends of your hair to work out any tangles and then work your way up to the root, one section at a time. You may even want to comb through your conditioner or a weekly mask to make the process easier.
Abyssian Crystal Jade Comb, $56 at Sephora
ghd Detangling Comb, $30 at The Iconic
Masking is a must
Just like you would for your skin, applying a hair mask once a week, or even once a fortnight, is essential to keep your curls bouncy and sleek.
For deeper hydration, apply your hair mask in the evening following your wash routine and leave it in overnight.
Aveda Be Curly Intensive Detangling Masque, $58 at Adore Beauty
Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Curl Smoothie, $23 at Woolworths
Use a diffuser
If you often end up with a halo of frizz when blow-drying your hair, you’re doing it wrong. A diffuser is essential for drying curly hair and will help tame frizz as well as dry your hair into beautifully-placed curls.
For best results, twist a handful of hair around your finger for definition, then place it into the diffuser and dry on low.
Alternatively, if you’re not into (or just can’t be bothered) blow-drying your hair, try hair plopping. It sounds odd, but throwing your hair up in a cotton t-shirt works wonders for curly hair, helping your locks curl and set — sans the frizz.
Whatever your drying method of choice, avoid towl-drying your hair at all costs. A microfibre towel is another great alternative. Try the Manicare RapiDry Hair Turban ($7.99 at Chemist Warehouse).
Oil it up
Hair oiling has long been a go-to beauty practice across South Asia. The traditional practice typically happens before taking a shower or going to bed and works by massaging natural oils into the scalp and hair to reduce dryness and boost strength, thickness and shine.
The practice has become commonly known as “hair slugging” on TikTok, and results in some of the shiniest hair we’ve ever seen.
Adding a nourishing hair oil to your weekly curly hair routine offers a great leave-in treatment. Try the slugging trend for even more hydrated and shiny mane.
Olaplex No 7 Bonding Oil, $54 at Adore Beauty
Main image credit: @emmy
Do you have curly hair? What’s your curly hair routine?
My daughter air dries now. After using the hairdryer for a few years.
I love Aveda’s Be Curly range. A huge fan of tshirt plopping and the bowl method.
Mine is more wavy with a few curls here and there, I follow most of these steps but use products without silicones, I agree hydration is a must – dry hair equals straight hair for me.
The ghd comb looks great there in the photo! My daughter (eldest) has natural waves and curls in her hair. It’s beautiful – wish I had some of her curls!
Never heard of hair plopping before. Interesting. My hair is wavy and prone to frizz so find conditioning a must. Thanks for information on lots of good products to try.
No, I hadn’t heard of it either. My hair gets super frizzy at times, I have more wavy hair than curly
Air dry, braid overnight and wide tooth comb. So my straight hair gets waves
I loved the first video. I was not expecting her hair to turn out so stunning! I have curly hair but it’s too thick and frizzy so I straighten it.
Oh No!! embrace your curls you lucky lady
Same here, mine is very thick and frizzy and never looks good even when I use products on it
This will never be something I can do. It’s been something I’d have loved to have and my Mum had glorious curly hair but I missed out big time.
Me too!!
I like the idea of hair slugging. Might need to try that out
My hair is wavy, but I wish it were curly. I use curl cremes sometimes.
None of the TikTok clips open for me, so I have to search for them. The one by @curlyzia was good!
I wish I had curly hair -Mine is straight and I am so envious
My hair is thick and curly and yet when I use products like hair creams and oils it still comes out looking puffy and frizzy. That’s why I don’t bother leaving my hair curly anymore
My daughter has beautiful curly hair. Using a diffuser and ditching the brush has helped to reduce frizz.
I can’t live without lots of leave in conditioner and a natural gel for curly hair.
My hair is naturally dead straight.
Ok have had curly hair before but didn’t like it all and go as far as trying Home Hair Straightening Kits, also using Growth Bomb Hair Care Products my hair is so much thicker and is starting to grow back. So very Happy, hopefully after Winter is Over I will be able to get a Short Bob hairstyle once again.
I love curls – I just wish they suited me.
Curls are beautiful, so pretty
I have wavy hair.But don’t do curls.
Lovely curls. Good tips here
I have curly hair. I’ve been experimenting with shampooing fortnightly but ive seen an increase of dandruff. So I’m back to shampooing once a week and lots of conditioner during and after the shower, and after the shower hair serum & curl cream
If you have a rosemary bush boil up some leaves and when cool do you last rinse with this each time you shampoo and see if this helps.
What is recommended for curl diffusing ?
I read about the curly girl method. I use lots of products and scrunch and air dry
This won’t ever be anything I can do. It’s been something I’d have wanted to have and my Mum had sublime wavy hair, however, I passed up a great opportunity for sure.
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What is recommended for curl diffusing ?
i like curls but struggle do try make curls in my hair
Love this video. My routine is similar but there’s some hints in there I have to try! Thanks.
I don’t know about the curl cream – clumpy curls? Hmm…
I never see people with natural curls anymore (like the top photo), but I think they’re beautiful. Wish people would wear their natural curls these days.
You are right -I have a friend who has the most awesome curls and she straightens them -Go figure!
I would so love to have curly hair. Mine is pretty straight with a very very slight wave as it gets longer.
I have wavy hair. I’ve been exploring different avenues regarding shampooing fortnightly yet ive seen an increment of dandruff. So I’m back to shampooing one time each week and heaps of conditioner during and after the shower, and after the shower hair serum and twist cream
A fantastic read, great advice and videos. Curls look so beautiful and how I would love to have them.
I want to try Aveda’s Curly hair mask.
For those who have lovely Curly Hair such a great array of Products to use these days.
My hair is only slightly curly, but oh, the frizz! I’m not sure any of these tips would help me, though.
I like the look of that Maui hair mask
Great tips for the curly headed gals.
I need to buy a blow dryer with a diffuser but my current one works perfectly well.
Very pretty curls
Interesting that a brush is not good for curls
While you could get the desire to scrunch and cushion, hold off until your twists are totally dry. When it is, take your fingers and shake your twists at the root, move around it about, to give you volume and level.