Curly Hair Problem: How to Get Defined Curls
How Can I Get Structured and Voluminous Soft Curls Without Overloading My Hair With Product?
I have a little longer than shoulder-length naturally thick wavy/curly hair.
I try to style it so that my curls turn out soft and springy, but when I use too little product with my diffuser, I get almost no volume. When I use too much product and my diffuser, my hair stiffens and I end up spending an hour trying to crunch the hard parts, but end up making it frizz or fall. If I use a moderate amount, I deal with both aforementioned problems, though they're combined!
The attached picture will show what my hair looks like, but only when worked on for a good hour, and it loses volume and structure after three hours or so.
Can someone please tell me how to make my curls structured, voluminous, and soft without killing myself with hairspray fumes and emptying my bank account for expensive hair products?
Kayla Sue
Phoenix, AZ, USA
Stupid Hair, Why Must You Torment Me So?
My hair
I find great distress in my curly hair. I have tried just using cremes so that the curl isn't too crunchy, but sometimes the curl is weighed down because the creme is too heavy. I have used sprays which, when combined with other stuff, seem to work okay, and I have used mousse, which just makes my hair look sharp and, well, crunchy.
I want a soft loose look to my hair that still has defined curl in it and no frizz. How do I do that?
Ellen
Fargo, North Dakota, United States
Nicole's Answer
Hi Ellen,
I understand your frustration.
There are so many products for curly hair on the market these days it is hard to know what really works and what will be good for your hair. Check out some of the previously asked questions on this site about product and product application. It sounds to me like you should try de-crunching your too crunchy product.
Also, work your water based gel into your hair from root to ends in a raking motion. This will help with the frizz. Let it dry all the way, then de-crunch the hair.
One last thing - the key to healthy, frizz-less hair is a good deep treatment. When your hair has the moisture and protein balance it needs it will frizz less. Try Heaven in My Hair by Deva Curl or Ouidad's Deep Treatment.
Best Wishes, Nicole
Comment by: Anonymous
You'll love this solution!
This is what I found that works for me. After you wash and condition your hair, mix grapeseed oil and serum in the palm of your hand and then work it through your hair. Use your fingers to comb through. Scrunch and then air dry your hair. Grape seed oil is a miracle because it nourishes the hair without making it greasy! Since I've been doing this my curls are beautiful!
Comment by: Nazia
Hope this helps
After you take a bath let your hair air dry. When it's a little drier, in a damp state, apply a good leave-in conditioner throughout your hair. Apply gel in your hair from root to tips. Make sure that every bit of your hair is covered in gel. You can use a hair drier with a diffuser if you want to speed up the drying.
Once your hair is dry twist your hair tightly once. This will reduce the crunch and give your hair a more natural look.
To avoid frizz, use a good deep conditioner at least once a week.
Best of luck.
How can I get tight curls instead of messy really loose wavy curls?
I have medium length, really thick, wavy/curly hair. How can I make my curls more tight and defined?
PS: the picture is not clear, but is the only one I have with my natural hair. I'm the one on the left.
Ashleigh
Scotland
Nicole's Answer
Fun hair! I like the wave. I have curly girls trying to get that type of wave all the time! I guess we always want what we don't have. To get a tight curl you have a couple of options:
Thermal Styling. Play around with different size curling irons. Try a 1 inch barrel and smaller or hot rollers.
You can also try a perm. Perms are pretty gentle these days (at least the ones I know of).
Just remember to have a good deep treatment plan in place because your hair may be a little more dry by doing any of the above. Check out some of the other Q&A on this site for Deep Treatments I recommend.
Best of luck,
Nicole
Comment by: Anonymous
Tight curls
Strips of material give really tight curls. All you need to do is rip up strips of material then tie them at the end of your hair. Then roll them to the top of your head and tie another knot. If you leave them overnight they look wonderful.
Comment by: John
Strips of material
In the old days they used to call those rag curls. Awesome tip, Anonymous :)
How can I make my curls more defined?
My curly hair is a mixture of hair textures. It's extremely curly in the back, very frizzy in the middle and very loose curls in the front.
How can I get my curls to be more defined all around? What types of products should I use?
Tahti
LA, CA
Nicole's Answer
Hi Tahti,
I have found it's best to put a water soluble gel on soaking wet hair when working with your texture. Make sure the root area stays wet while applying the gel. If it starts to dry at all it creates more of a poufy root area instead of a defined area.
Work the gel through the hair in a raking motion from the root area down to the ends.
Check out other Q&A on this site for products I like and how to work the gel through out your hair.
Best of luck, Nicole
Long Beautiful Curly Hair
With long hair, how should I make it beautiful and curly?
Gabby
Sacramento, CA, USA
Nicole's Answer
Hi Gabby,
if your hair is naturally curly then check out how to style your curly hair with products on this Q&A site.
If your hair is not naturally curly then you will need to use hot roller, curling iron or pin curls, or set your hair with rollers to create curl.
Best of luck, Nicole
How Can I Make My Curly Hair Look Neat?
I really got a lot out of your website to help me with my hair. I have very wavy (curly) frizzy hair. I had longer layers because of this. I was making my hair worse by trying to blow dry it straight. I don't even think I was doing it right.
I just went to a salon and they told me to just let it dry naturally with a leave in conditioner. I figure that was good because I can just go with what I have.
But as my hair dries it looks messy and out of place. It flips up here, there and everywhere. I want it to look neat and stylish.
Nicole's Answer
The trick to having structured, soft curl is product and product application. Use products that will rinse out with water, and avoid products with a lot of synthetic ingredients. Check out products I like on this Q&A site.
Apply the product on dripping wet hair, in sections. Air-dry and/or diffuse and de-crunch.
Check out product application on this site as well.
Best of luck, Nicole
How Do I Shape My Curls Without Taking Forever to Get Ready?
I have moderately curly hair. My curls are really big and extremely unmanageable. My hair is a weird texture (it's thin but I have sooo much hair it's ridiculous). I usually air dry my hair completely.
Do you have any suggestions for a quick and easy style that shapes my curls and reduces frizz?
Thanks so much :)
Nicole's Answer
The quickest way to help shape your curl is:
on wet hair take a quarter size of water soluble gel and rake it through your hair with your fingers. It works best if you move around your head in sections.
Check out products I like on other Q&A on this site.
Once your hair is dry it may be crunchy. This is okay, but, you will want to de-crunch your hair. Do this by taking the palms of your hands, pushing pressure, move your palms from the forehead to the back of your head like you are making a pony tail. Then, twist the pony tail all the way through the ends. Let the twist out and your hair should have nice shape and little crunch.
Best of luck, Nicole
Enhancing Curly Hair
I have quite curly hair but I'd like to enhance it a bit. I've tried every kind of product but just can't seem to find one I like that actually works.
The styling method I'm using right now is quite painstaking and time consuming. My hair always seems to be frizzy and a bit crazy! :)
Is there a different method to get it to curl nicely that won't cost me a fortune in products? I'd really like to not use any at all.
Lyndsay
Canada
Nicole's Answer
Hi Lyndsay,
if your goal is to not use product at all, assuming you mean styling product, then I would start by using a deep treatment. I recommend the Ouidad deep treatment. It works from the inside out so be persistent when using it - use it once every week for a month.
I would use the Deva Curl Low-poo or No-poo cleanser and The One conditioner for the days you wash your hair.
The Deva Curl line is all moisture and the Ouidad Deep treatment has protein in it. When your curly hair has the protein/moisture balance it needs it won't frizz as much. Unless you have wiry hair - that's another story.
You could also use The One conditioner as a leave-in styling aid.
Best of luck, Nicole
How Can I Turn My Soft Waves Into Curls?
My hair has a very soft wave to it. I have to add lots of mousse to it in order to make it wavy. I would like to know what I can do to make the waves a little tighter, or how to make it curly.
Is there a special product for this? Also I don't like the "wet look" some mousses give you. Does anyone know of a good mousse that won't give you that "wet look"?
Thanks a bunch!
Marilu
Los Angeles, CA
Nicole's Answer
Hi Marilu,
to increase your curl use products that are made for curly hair. What I mean by this is choose a product line that is focused on curly hair, not a product line that has all kinds of products and has recently offered a curly line because curly hair is "in style".
You will find that genuinely curly product lines make their ingredients with curly hair in mind. They are usually more moisturizing and are water soluble. You want to avoid products that will build up on your hair. Product build up can dry out the hair and alter the curl pattern. Do your research. Not all products made for curly hair have good ingredients in them.
I also suggest getting on a deep treatment plan. Check out products I like in the FAQs.
Best of luck, Nicole
How can I Define My Curls?
What can I do to define my curls? They just frizz out.
Nicole's Answer
To define your curls, start by washing your hair with Deva Curl Low Poo or No Poo Cleanser. Then condition. Rinse out the conditioner. Then, leave a pea size of conditioner in on the ends.
With dripping wet hair make three sections. Add a quarter size of gel for each section. One section at a time, rake the gel through the hair, from the root area (not on the scalp) through the ends. Use the AnGell from Deva Curl. Continue until all the sections have been raked with gel. Make sure you really saturate the sections with gel.
After the gel is applied, gently scrunch the curls with the ends of your hair in the palm of your hand, up to the scalp. Then, air dry or diffuse.
Once it's dry, de-crunch it. Check out how to de-crunch by reading other Q&As on this site!
Best Wishes, Nicole
How Can I Get Curlier Hair?
I have wavy curly hair that curls in places and looks messy. What products can I use to encourage my hair to curl and have body without perming it? Please help.
Kind regards x,
Lia
UK
Nicole's Answer
Dear Lia,
check out the Deva product range. The Deva Curl no-poo cleanser and their One conditioner.
Deva Curl's Angell is a good light hold gel.
Check out other Q&A on this site on how to apply a gel and de-crunch the gel after it dries.
Best of Luck, Nicole
Puffy Hair :(
I wrote previously about having issues with my curly hair being frizzy and puffy, but I wanted to submit a picture so you could see what I was talking about.
The frizz isn't terrible in the picture (it's usually worse the next day) but it's the puffiness that is truly bothering me. It's flat on the bottom and puffy on the top and I just want to know why that is.
Also, when I try to diffuse my hair sideways, it doesn't come as dry as when I do it upside down.
My other question was, is there a product that I can use when my hair is already dry, to tame the frizz a little bit?
Thank you!
Nina
Nicole's Answer
Great curl, Nina!
To create some lift at the root area try using duck bill clips while drying. Check out styling tips on product application to help clip the hair, like this one.
It seems the top layer of your hair poofs more. Could be a texture thing, could be a moisture thing.
If it's a moisture issue I would suggest using a leave in conditioner from the mid-shaft and down. I like the balancing rinse leave-in conditioner from Ouidad or the Deva Curl conditioner. Both are light and have ingredients that won't build up on your hair.
Next, I would suggest getting a haircut that cuts with the natural curl pattern you have. This will allow for your curl to have room to move instead of just stack out. This will help avoid the "triangle" hair.
As far as drying your hair upside down versus on the side goes, I recommend patience. Focus the dryer on the root area to create the lift with the clips. Then, work on the rest. If it doesn't dry 100% that's okay, let it air dry. Drying the root area first will allow you to take the clips out and not have it fall flat. Once the rest is dry, de-crunch.
Best of luck, Nicole
How Can I Get Nice Soft and Natural Curls with My Dried Hair?
Nicole, I am a biracial-haired person. My dad is African American, and my mom is Mexican. People have always loved my natural hair, but it never stays that way for long. Even when it does I can never find out how to style it.
My hair is thick, curly, frizzy, wavy, oil-absorbent, and long. I love my hair but it's hard to keep up with. Please tell me what I should do. I have maybe looked at every curly hair web site but no one's hair is like my hair.
Tatyana
Perris, CA, USA
Nicole's Answer
Hi Tatyana,
it may be impossible to find someone who has exactly your hair so I would suggest looking for someone with similar curl to yours.
Three things that will make your hair the best it can be:
Condition. Get on a good deep treatment plan. I like the Ouidad Deep Treatment because it has protein in it. Find a great moisturizing product. Try the Deva Curl No-Poo or Low Poo cleanser. Check out more products I like on this Q&A site.
Next, get a good haircut. Find someone who understands the "S" pattern in your curly hair.
Finally, try to use products with ingredients that will rinse out with water and not build up on the hair.
Best of luck, Nicole
How Can I Get Defined Curls With Less Pouf and Frizz?
I have naturally curly hair with layers that I am trying to grow out. I have more defined curls at the ends, and flatter, less defined (but totally frizzy) hair at the crown of my head. How can I define my curls at the top of my head, but reduce the enormous pouf of frizz there as well?
I am following the Curly Girl method, and using sulfate and silicone free products only. I'm currently using AG Recoil Curl Activator and Awapuhi Texturizing Sea Spray (it actually has a tiny, tiny bit of silicone in it, but it's supposed to be all natural), and these two products have worked better than anything else, but I still have frizz. I'm using Kiss My Face "Whenever" Shampoo and Conditioner (no sulfates!).
So is it a good idea to grow out my layers? The shortest layers go to somewhere in between my chin and shoulders, and the longest part of my hair lies just below the bottom of my shoulder blades.
When I was really young, I had those perfect baby curls, but then I had straight hair from about preschool to 2nd grade, then I continued to treat my hair as if it was straight in 3rd grade (it was a frizzy mess), and then I've had curly hair ever since 4th grade. Is my hair thick or thin?
Mitchie
New York
Nicole's Answer
Hi Mitchie,
it sounds like you've been doing your research on what is good for curls. Try the products from the author of Curly Girl, Lorraine Massey (and Deborah Chiel). The product is called Deva Curl. It's great for curly hair!
It's hard for me to determine if your hair is thick or thin without seeing it and feeling it. Sorry I can't help you there.
Check out the Deva Curl styling method. This may help with your frizz. They send a CD when you buy certain products to teach you how to use them correctly.
Best of luck, Nicole
How Can I Get My Curly Hair to Look Like Shakira's in This Picture?
Shakira's long curly hair style.
My hair is a little more curly than Shakira's in this picture depending on the day, just not as defined and perfect. How can I get my hair to sit like hers? And is it possible to have my hair dry naturally like this with no or little product (preferably no heat or rollers)?
Nikolina
Sydney
Nicole's Answer
Hi Nikolina,
it's hard for me to say without seeing your curl, but if your curl is similar to Shakira's that will help.
To create definition in your curl work in a water soluble gel - a quarter size of gel (about 25mm diameter) for each section: two sections on either side of your head and one in the back.
Check out other Q&A on this site for product application and products I like.
If you need to loosen your curl a little use a 1 and a 1/2 inch barrel curling iron. Just curl a few pieces around your head so they have good visual balance.
Best of luck, Nicole
How Can I Stop My Hair from Forming Big Curls, and How Can I Separate Them?
I'm biracial and I have really long curly hair but as it dries it forms very big curls. I want to achieve separation. How do you do that?
Nicole's Answer
Hi :)
To get separation in your curly hair, work your gel in section by section in a raking motion.
After it is completely dry, de-crunch your curl and tip your head upside down and shake your fingers just at the root area of your head. The more you shake, the more separation. Doing this will also give you volume.
Check out more product application tips on this Q&A site!
Best of Luck, Nicole
How Can I Enhance My Curls without Them Looking Frizzy?
I have quite curly hair naturally, and I normally straighten it - just so it can be controlled. I would much rather leave my hair curly, but it seems whatever I do to it, the curls always dry bushy or frizzy, with no real shape to them.
I was wondering if you could recommend any products, or tips on how to solve this? I have layers in my hair, so I am hoping for something that can make my hair curly, but not frizzy.
Thank you!
Nicole's Answer
Hello,
Product application is key to control when styling.
Check out other Q&A on how to work product through your hair. I like to stick with product lines made for curly hair. They are usually water soluble which means they will rinse out with water and you won't need a strong shampoo (strong shampoo will dry out the hair). You can try: Mop Top, Deva Curl, Ouidad, Curlisto, just to name a few.
Best of luck, Nicole
How Do You Make Your Curls Look Wet and Calm?
How do you make your curls look wet and calm?? And my hair is really really curly!
Helpppppppp!!! plezzzzzzz
Carly
Nicole's Answer
To control the frizz you will want to use a gel styling product. Mop Top, Ouidad, Curlisto & Jessicurl are all product lines that carry a nice styling gel that will define & control the curl.
I like to style curly hair so the curls have structure when they are dry and do not feel crunchy.
To do this:
First, apply your gel to wet hair. Section by section, take a quarter size of your chosen styling gel and apply from the root area to the ends, raking with your fingers. Take congested sections of hair so the hairs can clump together. Work the gel in really well. (If you take too small sections and little bits of hair your hair will look frizzy and fly away when you are done styling it.)
After you have applied the gel, diffuse your hair till it is at least 80% dry.
Then take a shine product (choose from the product list above) and pinch the curl to remove the crunchy feel, or moving your hands over the top, pull your hair into a low ponytail and twist your hair through the ends.
Whichever method you choose to de-crunch just make sure you do it! My pet peeve is wet, CRUNCHY curly hair. The goal in the end is SOFT, structured curl.
If this is a different way to apply gel for you, realize it may take you a little longer to get ready. Once you continue styling your hair in this manner you will get faster and you will find what works best for you.
Best Wishes,
Nicole
My curly hair looks either too flat or out of control. What can I do?
My hair is just impossible!
I know that the cut I have is perfect for me, I just don't know how to deal with it. Every time I try to scrunch it, it looks either too flat or out of control. And when I brush it to get a smooth but wavy look it ends up looking even more flat!
What can I do? I'm starting to get desperate.
Thanks,
Cate
Nicole's Answer
You could try a body wave. This would make the curl more uniform. It would also help with the consistency of the curl when youre styling it.
Also, check your shampoo, conditioner and styling lotion. Make sure they do not have waxes or silicones in them. Waxes and silicones can build up and flatten curly hair.
Good Luck,
Nicole
How do I control my curly hair once it's dry, and why won't the hair at my roots curl at all?
I have long, natural curly hair and when it is wet it is very nice and in small curlettes, but when it dries it goes everywhere. I've tried many products but none seems to be working well.
Also, the hair at my roots never seems to curl. It is always flat. It really bugs me.
Kayla
Nicole's Answer
Product application is key.
Section your hair into 3 sections.
Work your product in section by section, working the gel in from root to ends, using your fingers like a rake to move the product. The better you apply the product the more control.
Make sure you are using a water soluble product.
Then, take duckbill clips (these are long and slender clips), and place them so they are standing on the side like you're cutting with a knife.
Slide the clip up your part, touching your scalp, and put one leg of the clip on either side of the part. This will lift your hair up off your head while it dries.
Once the hair at your scalp is dry you can take out the clips and your hair should have nice volume off the scalp.
Good Luck,
Nicole
Could I use clips or a diffuser to make my naturally wavy hair look nice?
Well ... I have naturally wavy hair that I can get to become pretty curly. I hate wearing it down so I am usually forced to put it up in a cute messy bun.
But that gets really boring. Could I use clips or a diffuser to make it look nice? If so how?
Lo
Nicole's Answer
Yes, using clips and a diffuser will definitely add a more polished look to your messy bun.
There are so many fun clips out today. You can find them at just about any accessory store. Using hair accessories always adds a fun element to the style!
Before diffusing, always apply a water soluble gel to your hair. Make sure you apply it section by section, from the root area to the ends, in a raking motion. Coating curly hair like this helps to control frizz.
Check out other styling suggestions on this site.
Best Wishes,
Nicole
How can I get beautiful curls instead of big frizz?
I have thick, curly and very frizzy hair which is impossible to manage. Since I live in India I think the humidity makes it a lot worse. I constantly wear my hair in a ponytail because it is just too big and won't lie down.
I would give anything to have long hair with soft curls at the ends. I've considered growing it out but my hair is just too difficult to manage because it tangles so easily and takes soooo long to untangle!!!!!
I've tried ironing my hair out, but it takes almost 2 hours to do that and even then it's still frizzy.
I've been considering chemically straightening my hair and then curling the ends with a curling iron. Would you recommend this? Or is there any other way to get beautiful curls???
Zulaiha
Nicole's Answer
Hair that tangles is very frustrating and very time consuming. I would definitely get on a deep treatment plan. I recommend the Ouidad deep treatment; it works from the inside out so allow a good month of weekly deep treatment to see if you notice a difference in frizz and tangles.
Also, use a leave-in conditioner on your hair every time you wash it. This will help detangle and condition your curls.
If you are tired of wearing your hair in a pony tail check out my book, Strictly Curls - www.strictlycurls.com. It consists of 14 different looks to wear your hair up! Each look has step-by-step photos and written instruction.
It is empowering to style your own hair and make it look great!
Sincerely,
Nicole Siri
How can I get my curly hair to look professional?
My hair has a life of its own. Some days it is curly (about 1 inch curls). Other days it is flat, with just enough wave to make it look messy and uncombed. When it's humid it's like I have the white chick afro of doom!
I currently use a type of leave in conditioner, but it does nothing to define the curls. Also my hair is rather dry on the ends and greasy at the scalp. I can't skip a day of washing if I want it clean and grease free.
Any advice for making it professional for an office setting (accountant) is greatly appreciated.
<3 Meg
Meghan
Severn, MD, USA
Nicole's Answer
Hi Meg,
Curly hair can take on a different look every day.
I like to use a water based gel to help tame the curl. If you use a leave-in conditioner, make sure you focus on the ends of the hair, away from the scalp.
If your hair is shoulder length or longer check out my book Strictly Curls. It will give you some ideas and teach you how to style your hair up for those days when wearing your hair down is out of the question!
Best of Luck, Nicole
Comment by: Nazia Gilani
Professional curly hair
Put more leave-in conditioner at the tips ... and apply styling gel, mousse or hair spray after that to ensure that your hair is better settled.
Nicole's Answer
Dear Kayla Sue,
super fun hair!
You are a trooper to spend an hour on your hair!
First, check your products. If they are full of synthetic ingredients that are heavy this could be why it won't hold the volume and the curl.
Look at the styling products section on this website for helpful hints to picking good products.
On a personal note, if you are interested in being a short curly hair model I am in the Arizona area often and I am looking for models for my short hair collection. Contact me via my website www.strictlycurls.com if you would be interested in me cutting and styling your hair. Also, check out www.jschomaker.com. She will be taking the pictures.
I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Best wishes, Nicole