Curly hair tips: How I grew to love my curls

Jan. 28, 2025, 8:19 p.m.

If you asked me what I wanted for Christmas before I was twelve, I would have told you straight hair. Sure, legos and stuffies were cool, but not as appealing as the thought of losing my curls. In elementary school, I was the only girl in my class with curly hair. All of my best friends had pin-straight hair that was easy to manage, so naturally, I wished to fit in. I hated having hair that seemed wild and distracting, and since my parents didn’t have curly hair themselves, they didn’t really know what to do with mine. 

Every day before school, my mom would comb out my curls and throw my puffy hair into a low ponytail. While my mom thought I looked cute, I definitely wasn’t a fan (sorry mom). I didn’t realize that the right hair care routine would fix my troubles, so instead, I constantly asked to straighten my curls out. Fifth-grade LaVie didn’t understand how devastating a flat iron would have been for both my mental health and the health of my hair, so I’m endlessly grateful that my mom refused every time. 

Once middle school came around, I decided I’d give curly hair care a try. I was pessimistic at first, but at that point, I would’ve done anything for better hair. After a couple years of watching YouTube tutorials and cycling through different products, I finally came up with a routine that worked for me. Today, I wouldn’t trade my curls for anything, but I know that it can still be hard to find what works for others. So, here are some tips I have for perfecting your curly hair routine. 

1. Find the right products for you

Experimenting with drugstore products that are on the cheaper end of the scale can be a great way to figure out what suits your hair. My favorite drugstore product lines are Shea Moisture and Camille Rose, and my favorite higher-end product line is CurlSmith. As for what products to purchase, curl creams and leave-in conditioners are great to start. After using a curly shampoo and conditioner, applying a cream or leave-in will keep your curls moisturized until your next wash. If you have tighter curls like I do, a strong-hold gel can keep your hair intact throughout the week. I tend to use Shea Moisture washing products, Camille Rose curl cream products, and CurlSmith gels. My all time favorite gel is the CurlSmith “In Shower Style Fixer”; it has a very strong hold that keeps my curls intact until wash day. In my opinion, it’s absolutely worth the price. Side note: Be sure to avoid washing your hair too often and be gentle in the shower when detangling. I use a special detangling brush for curly hair to prevent my coils from tearing, and you can find one easily on Amazon! 

2. Develop a good styling routine

A general rule I like to follow is that it’s fine to brush through leave-in conditioners and curl creams, but avoid brushing through gel. To apply gel, I usually spread a small amount on my palms before smoothing and scrunching it into my hair strands. Make sure your hair is wet while you style, and once you finish, don’t touch your curls! That’ll only cause frizz. Some girls with curls like to diffuse after styling, which is essentially blow drying with a special attachment. However, I personally prefer to air dry, and feel this method is more effective for my styling routine. Also, be sure to purchase a satin pillowcase and bonnet. These products will protect your curls while you sleep and prevent breakage/damage. This is one of the most important steps, since without the right sleeping gear, your styled hair won’t last very long.

3. Avoid heat styling tools

Curly hair is beautiful and malleable, but straightening tools can cause long-lasting damage. I have never fully straightened my hair, but at most, I apply a little heat once or twice a year. Any more often can ruin your curls, so stay away from the flat irons (as tempting as they can be). Sure, sometimes it can be a pain to take care of natural hair, but with a little bit of time and effort, I’m confident that anyone can fall in love with their curls. With that in mind, steering clear of damaging heat tools and preserving the health of your hair is absolutely worth the extra effort. 

Finding the right routine for me definitely boosted my confidence, and now that I love the way my hair looks, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. If only fifth grade me had any idea how much I love my curls in the future. I doubt she’d believe it, but I’m so glad that it’s true. 



Login or create an account