Learning to Love Our Curls
Growing up, I hated my curly hair.
I was always so self-conscious because all the other girls seemed to have smooth, shiny, straight hair while mine was frizzy, poofy, and impossible to control. I didn’t understand why my hair looked so different, and I spent years trying to make it look like everyone else’s.
I used to gel it down so flat that it always looked wet because I thought that was the only way to keep the frizz away.
Everything changed once I got the right haircut for my curl pattern and learned a routine that actually worked for my hair instead of against it.
That’s one of the biggest things I’ve learned about curly hair: no two heads of curls are exactly the same. Finding the perfect routine takes some trial and error, but once you figure out what your hair loves, styling becomes so much easier.
Curly Hair Is Different, Not Difficult
Curly hair naturally needs more moisture than straight hair because your scalp’s natural oils have a harder time traveling down each curl. That’s why hydration is one of the most important parts of any curly routine.
The biggest mistake I see is people trying to fight their curls instead of working with them. The right products, haircut, and styling techniques can completely change how your curls look and feel.
If you’re just starting your curly hair journey, I always recommend keeping your routine simple.
My Go-To Curly Hair Routine
I start by washing with a hydrating shampoo and conditioner to give my curls the moisture they need.
While my hair is still soaking wet, I spray in Mizani Miracle Milk and gently detangle. Keeping the hair very wet helps the products distribute evenly and encourages the curls to clump together.
Next, I section off my crown with a clip and work in two sections. This helps create more volume at the root and keeps the top from getting weighed down.
I apply Redken Curl Cream throughout each section, followed by Redken Curl Gel, making sure every curl is evenly coated. When I get to the top section, I brush the hair upward and slightly back to encourage volume. At this stage, your curls may look almost straight, and that’s completely normal!
Once everything is applied, I flip my head upside down and scrunch in Kérastase Curl Manifesto Medium Hold Mousse, working all the way up to my roots. This helps encourage curl formation while adding hold and volume.
From there, you have two options. You can let your hair air dry with a claw clip at the roots to prevent it from drying flat against your scalp, or you can use a diffuser. I like to hover the diffuser around my hair for the first few minutes to create a cast with the gel before I begin scrunching. Once that cast starts to form, I scrunch with the diffuser, focusing on drying my roots first.
When my hair is about halfway dry, I lightly mist it with a flexible-hold hairspray. This extra step helps keep my curls defined while reducing frizz as they finish drying.
Once my hair is completely dry, I flip my head upside down and gently shake out my roots for volume. I avoid running my fingers through my curls because that breaks apart the curl pattern and creates unnecessary frizz.
My Favorite Curly Hair Products
These are the products I reach for most often, both on myself and on my curly-haired clients:
● Mizani Miracle Milk – Lightweight moisture and detangling.
● Redken Curl Cream – Softens and defines curls without weighing them down.
● Redken Curl Gel – Provides hold and helps control frizz.
● Kérastase Curl Manifesto Medium Hold Mousse – Adds volume, definition, and flexible hold.
● Kérastase Curl Manifesto – One of my favorite product lines for keeping curls hydrated, healthy, and manageable.
Embrace Your Natural Texture
Learning how to care for curly hair takes patience, and every curl journey looks a little different. Don’t get discouraged if the first routine you try isn’t perfect. Curly hair is all about experimenting until you find what works best for you.
Once you stop fighting your curls and start giving them what they need, you’ll be amazed at the difference. Healthy, hydrated curls are beautiful, and sometimes all it takes is the right cut, the right products, and a routine that works with your natural texture instead of against it.
By: Madeline Vasquez
