Caring for curly hair requires a different approach than straight hair. Curls are naturally more prone to dryness and tangles. Also, washing too often, brushing harshly, or using too much heat can cause your curls to become frizzy and difficult to manage.
Fortunately, a good routine does not have to be complicated. With the right combination of shampoo, care, leave-in, and styling, you can keep your curls soft, hydrated, and better defined.
In this guide, you will read step-by-step how to care for curly hair, how often to wash it, and what you can do against dryness and frizz.
Why does curly hair need extra care?
With curly hair, the natural oils from the scalp do not spread as easily to the lengths. As a result, the lengths and ends, in particular, can feel dry. Furthermore, curly hair is more prone to tangles and breakage when treated while dry or roughly.
That does not mean you should nourish your hair as often as possible with heavy products. The right balance is important.
A good routine focuses primarily on:
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gently cleansing the scalp
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sufficient hydration of the lengths
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gentle detangling
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less friction and heat
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care that suits the thickness and condition of your curls
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styling that supports the natural curl
Caring for curly hair in 5 steps
A practical curl routine consists of five basic steps:
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Shampoo
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Conditioner or hair mask
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Gentle detangling
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Leave-in treatment
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Defining curls and letting them dry
Not everyone needs a mask or multiple styling products with every wash. Pay attention to how your hair feels and how much care your curls need.
1. Wash curly hair when necessary
Curly hair generally does not need to be washed as often as hair that gets greasy quickly. How often you use shampoo depends on your scalp, hair structure, styling products, and daily routine.
Wash primarily when your scalp feels greasy or dirty, or when there is a lot of product buildup. For curly or thick hair, dermatologists recommend adjusting the wash frequency to the needs of your hair and scalp.
Use shampoo mainly on the scalp. The lather that runs over the lengths while rinsing is usually sufficient to clean the rest of the hair. This prevents the lengths from becoming unnecessarily dry.
Which shampoo for curly hair?
Choose a shampoo that cleanses your hair without making your curls feel stiff or extremely dry after washing.
For a curl routine, it is also useful to match the shampoo to your main hair concern. For example, if you suffer from a lot of dryness and frizz, your hair likely needs more care than a heavily cleansing routine.
2. Use conditioner for soft and more manageable curls
Conditioner is an important step in caring for curly hair. It helps make the hair softer and easier to comb through.
Apply conditioner primarily to the lengths and ends. For dry and curly hair, the conditioner can be applied to a larger part of the hair length.
This is also a good moment to gently detangle your hair. Preferably work in sections and start at the ends. This way, you don't have to use as much force to remove tangles from the lengths.
Do you have very dry curls? Then a hair mask can be an addition to your normal conditioner. The MOOD Dream Curls Mask has been specifically developed for curly and frizzy hair and focuses on hydration, softness, definition, and reducing frizz.
Discover the MOOD hair masks and conditioners
3. Detangle your curls while they are wet
One of the easiest ways to prevent unnecessary breakage and frizz is to be gentle with your hair while detangling.
It is best to detangle curly hair when it is wet and coated with conditioner. Use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb and work calmly from the ends upwards.
Avoid brushing dry curls vigorously. This can cause the curl clumps to fall apart and make the hair frizzier.
Do you have a lot of tangles? Then divide your hair into multiple sections. You can work section by section without constantly pulling through the same tangles.
4. Use a leave-in for extra care
A leave-in conditioner stays in the hair after washing. As a result, the product can offer extra care and manageability throughout the day.
A leave-in can be especially useful for:
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dry curls
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frizzy hair
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long hair
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hair that tangles easily
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damaged curls
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curls that are difficult to define
Dermatologists mention leave-in conditioner as an option for curly, dry, long, frizzy, or difficult-to-comb hair, among others. It can help make the hair more manageable and reduce frizz.
Apply a leave-in to towel-dried or damp hair and do not use more than necessary. Start with a small amount and distribute the product over the lengths and ends.
For curly hair, MOOD has the Dream Curls HD Mist, a light leave-in spray with fermented rice water. The spray is intended to hydrate and protect curls and reduce frizz without weighing the hair down. You can also use it to refresh curls between washes.
View the MOOD Dream Curls care for curly hair
5. Define your curls without weighing them down
After washing and caring, styling begins.
Gently squeeze the excess water from your hair and apply your styling product while the hair is still damp. By gently scrunching your curls upward, you can support the natural curl shape.
Afterward, preferably let your hair dry naturally. If you use a hairdryer with a diffuser, choose a low to medium heat setting. Excessive heat can damage the hair.
The goal is not to make every curl look exactly the same. A good curl routine primarily ensures that your natural curl pattern is highlighted to its best advantage.
What can you do against frizzy curly hair?
Frizz is not caused by a single factor. Dryness, friction, humidity, damage, incorrect detangling, and too much heat can all influence how your curls look.
Therefore, do not start immediately by using more and more styling products.
First look at your routine:
Do your curls become dry after washing?
Use a milder cleanser and pay more attention to conditioner or a mask.
Do your curls become frizzy during detangling?
Detangle them while wet with conditioner and work carefully from the ends upwards.
Are your curls dry and difficult to manage after drying?
Try a small amount of leave-in on damp hair.
Do your curls become less defined throughout the day?
Use a light leave-in to refresh the curls in between and gently scrunch the curls back into shape.
Adding a product is therefore not always the solution. Often the difference starts with the way you wash, detangle, and dry your hair.
How often should you use a hair mask for curls?
That depends on the condition of your hair.
Dry or damaged curls may need an intensive treatment more often. Healthy curls sometimes get enough from a mask once a week or whenever the hair needs it.
According to the product information, the MOOD Dream Curls Mask is used after washing and left in for 5 to 10 minutes. Depending on the hair's needs, MOOD recommends using it one to two times a week, or more often for very dry hair.
A mask does not automatically replace your entire routine. Shampoo, conditioner, leave-in, and styling each have a different function.
Caring for curly hair while sleeping
Your hair also encounters friction at night.
If you notice that your curls are flat, frizzy, or difficult to restore in the morning, you can loosely gather your hair on top of your head before sleeping, also known as a 'pineapple'. A loose braid can also help some curl types maintain their shape.
Do not secure the hair tightly. Too much tension can actually cause breakage.
The next morning, you can optionally dampen your curls slightly and scrunch them back into shape. A light leave-in spray can help with this.
A simple routine for curly hair
You don't have to do an extensive treatment every wash day.
On a wash day
Step 1: Wash your scalp with shampoo.
Step 2: Apply conditioner to the lengths and ends.
Step 3: Detangle your hair gently while the conditioner is in.
Step 4: Rinse and apply a small amount of leave-in to damp hair.
Step 5: Style your curls and let them dry naturally.
Between washes
Dampen your curls slightly and apply a small amount of leave-in if necessary. Scrunch the curls back into shape instead of brushing them out dry.
This keeps the routine simple and prevents your hair from needing to be fully washed and styled over and over again.
What products do you need for curly hair?
A good basic routine consists of a few products:
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Shampoo: for cleansing your scalp and hair
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Conditioner: for softness, care, and easier detangling
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Hair mask: for extra care when your curls are dry or damaged
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Leave-in: for extra care and fewer tangles and frizz
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Styling: to better define your natural curl shape
For this, MOOD has the Dream Curls line, with products specifically targeted at curly and frizzy hair. The line includes, among others, shampoo, a mask, and a leave-in treatment.
If you want to combine several steps, there is also a MOOD Dream Curls Complete Routine and a Dream Curls Kit for curly hair, focusing on hydration and definition.
Caring for curly hair starts with the right routine
Beautiful curls do not require as many products as possible. It is mainly about a routine that suits your hair.
Mild cleansing, good care, gentle detangling, and styling your curls while they are damp form a good foundation. If you suffer from dryness or frizz, look at these steps first before adding more and more products.
With the MOOD Dream Curls line, you can build this routine with care for curly and frizzy hair, from shampoo and mask to leave-in.
