Understand, then choose
Curly hair guides for your next wash
Find your next step, from choosing a shampoo to drying your hair and refreshing it between washes.
Fix a wash-day problem
Start from what your hair did after it dried, then change one thing on the next wash.
Wash-day troubleshooting Start from what your hair did after it dried: frizzy, dry, stiff, limp, flat, breaking, knotted, shrunken or greasy. Each page gives one thing to change next wash. Frizzy curls Why curls frizz and what to change on your next wash: style before your hair starts to dry, enough hold, blot instead of rub, and no touching until dry. Dry, rough curls Why curly hair feels dry and what to change next wash: a gentler cleanse on the lengths, enough conditioner on the ends, leave-in on wet hair, and sealing it in. Protein overload Stiff, straw-like curls that snap when stretched are what people call protein overload. How to check your products and what to change on your next wash. Moisture overload Limp, mushy, over-stretchy curls that won’t hold are what people call moisture overload. What to look at and what to change on your next wash. Flat roots Why curls start inches below the scalp and what to change: keep conditioner off the roots, lighter layers, root clips while drying, and diffusing at the roots. Breakage Short broken pieces in the sink or on your shoulders. The handling habits that break curly hair and what to change on your next wash. Split ends Split ends can’t be repaired, only trimmed. How to spot them on curly hair and what to change on wash day so new ones form more slowly. Single-strand knots Tiny knots at the ends of single curly strands, often called fairy knots. Why they form and what to change on wash day so fewer form. Shrinkage Why curly and coily hair looks much shorter dry than wet, why that is normal, and the stretching methods to use when you want to show length. Oily roots Curly hair that gets greasy at the roots but dry at the ends. How often to wash, where to put shampoo and conditioner, and when to clarify.
Understand your hair
Curl type, porosity, density and strand thickness, explained without turning a label into a diagnosis.
Hair types, 2A to 4C What 2A to 4C mean, how to find yours on a clean section, and the wash-day choices that change with curl pattern, strand thickness and density. Wavy hair (type 2) How type 2 waves behave, why they fall flat or frizz, and the wash-day choices that keep waves: lighter layers, gel or foam, and less handling. Curly hair (type 3) How type 3 curls behave, from loose 3A curls to tight 3C corkscrews, and the wash day that keeps them defined: slip, a leave-in and gel, and hands off while drying. Coily hair (type 4) How type 4 coils behave, from defined 4A coils to tight 4C, and a wash day built on sections, slip, sealing in water and handling the hair less. Hair density Hair density is how many strands you have, not how thick each one is. How to check yours and how it changes product amounts, sectioning and drying. Strand thickness: fine, medium or coarse Fine, medium or coarse describes how thick one strand is. How to check yours and what it changes: how heavy your products can be and how gently to handle wet hair. Hair Porosity: What It Means for Your Wash Day What hair porosity means, why the labels are only a clue, and how to adjust your wash day to the way your hair takes in water. Low Porosity Hair: Signs and Routine Choices Signs of low porosity hair (slow to wet, a coated feel) and what to try first: a shorter routine, a full rinse and lighter layers. High Porosity Hair: Signs and Routine Choices Signs of high porosity hair (wets fast, dries fast, often after color or heat) and what to change: where conditioner goes and how long it stays on. Low vs High Porosity Hair: Compare the Signs Low vs high porosity side by side: how each wets, dries and feels, what makes them look alike, and one change to try for each. Hair Porosity Test: What You Can Learn at Home What the float and spray tests can and can’t tell you about porosity, and a better way: watch how your hair wets and dries over a few washes. Deep Conditioner vs Conditioner Deep conditioner or regular conditioner? How long each stays on, which masks replace conditioner, and how to choose for this wash. Medium Porosity Hair: Signs and Routine Choices Medium porosity: what the label means, and why you don’t need new products if your routine already works. Heat Cap vs Hair Steamer: Setup, Use and Limits Heat cap or hair steamer for deep conditioning: setup, hands-free use, plug, cleanup, and which masks say they can take heat. Co-Wash vs Shampoo: Which One Your Curls Need A co-wash cleans gently with conditioning ingredients; shampoo cleans thoroughly with surfactants. When each suits curly hair, and why most people still need shampoo. Curl Cream vs Leave-In Conditioner: What Each Does A leave-in softens and detangles; a curl cream adds moisture, weight and soft definition. Which one your hair needs, and the order to use both. Wavy vs Curly Hair: How to Tell and Why It Matters Waves bend in S-shapes; curls form full loops. How to tell which you have on a clean section, and the wash-day choices that differ between them. Protein vs Moisture for Curly Hair: How to Balance Stiff, snapping hair and mushy, over-stretchy hair are what curly-hair communities call too much protein and too much moisture. What the wet stretch test can and can’t tell you, and how to test one change at a time. Bond repair or protein treatment: what each does, and where it goes Protein treatments add protein and rinse out; bond repair treatments are sold to fix bonds inside the hair. Nine makers’ directions compared, step by step. Silk vs Satin for Curly Hair: Pillowcases and Bonnets Silk is a natural fiber; satin is a smooth weave, usually polyester. Both cut friction on curls overnight. How they differ in cost, care and comfort. Ingredients on curly-hair labels What the EU ingredient register lists each name on these labels for, and where it sits on each label.
2A hair2B hair2C hair3A hair3B hair3C hair4A hair4B hair4C hair
Scalp care on wash day
Flakes, itching and build-up: how to tell them apart and what to change, with the dermatologists’ own advice.
Dandruff vs Dry Scalp: How to Tell the Difference Dry scalp or dandruff? The flakes can look the same. The clues worth noticing, what the American Academy of Dermatology suggests trying first, and when to see a dermatologist. Dry Scalp With Curly Hair: Causes and What to Change Why the scalp can feel dry and flaky when you wash curly hair less often, what to change on wash day, and when flakes need a dermatologist. Itchy Scalp on Wash Day: Common Causes and Next Steps An itchy scalp between washes is often build-up, dandruff, a product or going too long between washes. What to check, what to change, and when to see a dermatologist. Scalp Buildup: How to Tell and How to Clear It Waxy, dull roots and flakes that look like dried gel can be product build-up rather than dandruff. What to look for, and how a clarifying wash and better rinsing help you find out. Scalp Exfoliation for Curly Hair: When It Helps Scrubs, brushes and salicylic acid: when exfoliating the scalp helps with build-up and flakes, when a clarifying wash is enough, and when to skip it.
Plan your wash day
From detangling to drying, with a plan for the days between washes.
Curly Hair Wash Day Routine: Choose Your Step Order Put cleansing, conditioning, leave-in, and styling in a clear order while keeping optional steps optional. The Curly Girl Method, step by step What the Curly Girl Method asks on wash day, the four ingredient groups it leaves out, how to spot them on a label, and where label checkers disagree. How to Detangle Curly Hair on Wash Day Detangle wet, conditioned curls in sections. Start at the ends, loosen snags gently, and follow your conditioner’s rinse time. Air Dry vs Diffuse Curly Hair: Choose Your Finish Choose between air-drying and diffusing, apply styling products at the right wetness, and know when to scrunch a gel cast. How to Refresh Curly Hair Between Washes Reshape a few flat curls between washes without adding unnecessary layers. Know which leave-in can be used on dry hair and when to wash instead. How Much Hair Product to Use: Measure Your Own Amount How much shampoo, conditioner, leave-in and gel to use on curly hair: start from the label, then measure your own amount once. Hard Water: Curly Hair Care Before and After Swimming Choose a wash after swimming or hard-water exposure, with clear clarifier options and timing limits after color or smoothing treatments. How to Clarify Curly Hair: Choose the Right Wash When to clarify curly hair, how to swap it in for your usual shampoo, and which clarifiers to skip after color or smoothing. Product Buildup: Curly Hair Signs and Next Steps Signs of product buildup on curly hair (coated, dull, products stop working) and what to try: fewer layers, or one clarifying wash. How to Do a Wash-and-Go on Curly Hair, Step by Step Styling products on wet hair, then hands off until it dries: the wash-and-go steps for curls and coils, and what to change when it frizzes or flakes. How to Plop Curly Hair With a T-Shirt or Towel Plopping wraps styled, wet curls in a T-shirt or microfiber towel so water soaks away without rubbing and roots dry with lift. The steps and common mistakes. Scrunch Out the Crunch: Soften a Gel Cast A gel cast holds curls while they dry. How and when to scrunch it out so curls stay defined but soft, and why doing it too early causes frizz. How to Co-Wash Curly Hair, and When Not To Co-washing cleans with a conditioner instead of shampoo. The steps that keep your scalp clean, and the signs you need shampoo instead. How to Do a Twist-Out on Natural Hair, Step by Step Twist damp sections, let them dry completely, then unravel into soft spirals: the twist-out steps for curly and coily hair, and how to make it last. How to Do a Braid-Out on Curly or Coily Hair Braid damp sections, let them dry completely, then unravel into stretched waves: the braid-out steps and how it differs from a twist-out. How to Do a Bantu Knot-Out, Step by Step Coil damp sections into small knots, let them dry, then unwind into springy, defined curls: the Bantu knot-out steps for curly and coily hair. Finger Coiling: Define Curls One Section at a Time Wrap small sections of wet, styled hair around a finger to define curls and coils that won’t clump. How to do it on a whole head or just the frizzy parts. Pre-Poo for Curly Hair: What It Is and How to Do It A pre-poo is oil or conditioner put on dry hair before shampoo, to soften knots and protect the lengths. How to do it and who it helps most. Protective Styles for Natural Hair: Care Before, During, After Braids, twists, buns and wigs that tuck the ends away: how to prepare hair, look after the scalp while it’s in, and take it down without breakage. Brush Styling Curly Hair: Define Clumps With a Brush Running a styling brush through wet, product-coated sections to form bigger, defined curl clumps: the steps, and how to do it without breakage. Roller Set on Curly or Natural Hair: Smooth, Bouncy Curls Setting damp curly or coily hair on rollers or flexi rods for smooth, stretched, bouncy curls: the steps, how to dry it and how to keep it. How Long to Leave Conditioner and Deep Conditioner In What each maker says about leave-on time for every conditioner and mask we compare, in one table: mostly one to three minutes for rinse-outs, three to sixty for masks. How to Protect Curly Hair Overnight Pineapple, satin bonnet or pillowcase, loose twists: how to sleep on curls and coils so they need less refreshing in the morning. Curly Hair Care for Kids: A Gentle Wash Day A wash day for children’s curls and coils that keeps tears and tangles down: washing as the scalp needs, detangling with conditioner in, short sessions and loose styles. Color-Treated Curly Hair: What Changes on Wash Day Color and bleach change how curls take in water and how gently they need handling. What to change on wash day, which clarifiers to avoid, and when to wait after a service. Transitioning to Natural Curly Hair: A Wash-Day Plan Growing out relaxed, straightened or heat-damaged hair: why the line between textures breaks, how to wash and detangle two textures, and styles that blend them.
Choose a product
Compare the instructions and formats that change how you use each product.
Best Shampoo for Curly Hair Twenty-one shampoos, four co-washes and a cleansing cream for curly hair, compared by their makers’ directions: lathers, amounts, sizes and ingredients. Best Conditioner for Curly Hair Twenty-four rinse-out conditioners for curly hair: where each goes, how long it stays on, and whether you detangle with it in. Best Deep Conditioner for Curly Hair Twenty-five deep conditioners for curly hair compared by how long they stay on, whether they call for a cap or heat, and which replace your conditioner. Best Leave-In Conditioner for Curly Hair Twenty-one leave-ins for curly hair compared by how wet your hair should be, where they go, and which also refresh dry curls. Best Gel for Curly Hair Twenty-nine gels and foams, plus eleven curl creams: how wet your hair should be, whether a leave-in goes first, how firm the hold is and scrunching out the cast. Best Clarifying Shampoo for Curly Hair Fifteen clarifying shampoos for curly hair: how often each maker says to use it, which one isn’t color-safe, and which needs a wait after color or smoothing. Protein Treatments for Curly Hair Seven protein treatments for curly hair, from a two-minute reconstructor to a monthly hard set, compared by their makers’ times, steps and labels. Heat Protectants for Curly Hair Seven heat protectants for curly hair compared by their makers’ directions: damp hair before you diffuse or dry hair before an iron, and the heat each names. Hair Oils for Curly Hair Seven hair oils for curly hair compared by where their makers say to use them: on the scalp, in your styling layers, over a dried gel cast or before shampoo. Curl Refreshers for Second-Day Curls Five curl refreshers compared by their makers’ directions: on dry hair between wash days, whether a styler goes on top, and the sizes each sells. Best Heat Cap for Deep Conditioning A microwavable cap, a plug-in cap and two steamers compared by setup, controls and cleanup, and which masks say they can take heat. Diffuser Hair Dryers for Curly Hair Seven hair dryers sold with a diffuser and two diffusers that fit your own dryer, compared by settings, power, weight, cord and how each maker says to diffuse. Brushes and Combs for Curly Hair Eight brushes and combs for detangling and defining curls, compared by what their makers say: wet or dry, bristles or teeth, direction and cleaning. Bonnets and Pillowcases for Curly Hair Five bonnets and caps and three pillowcases for curly hair, compared by fabric, silk weight, fit and care, and how their makers say to wear them. Hair Towels for Curly Hair Nine hair towels for curly hair, cotton T-shirt and microfiber, compared by fabric, size, closure and care, and how their makers say to plop or scrunch. Low Porosity Hair Products Shampoos, conditioners, masks and leave-ins for hair that’s slow to wet, compared by their directions: shorter steps, a full rinse, lighter layers. High Porosity Hair Products Products for hair that soaks up water and dries fast, one per wash-day step: where conditioner goes and how long it stays on. Curly Girl Method products Shampoos, conditioners, leave-ins and gels whose labels list no sulfate, silicone, drying alcohol or wax, by wash-day step, with the names we checked. Products for fine wavy and curly hair Shampoos, conditioners, leave-ins and stylers whose makers say they’re made for fine hair, with the hold each states, and the ones made for thicker hair. Fragrance-Free Curly Hair Products Curly hair products whose labels list no fragrance or parfum, sorted by wash-day step, with the ones that still name scented oils picked out. Travel-Size Curly Hair Products Curly hair products their makers sell in sizes of 3.4 ounces (100 mL) or less, the TSA carry-on limit, by wash-day step, with each size’s price. Affordable Curly Hair Products: $1 an Ounce or Less Curly hair products that cost $1 an ounce or less in at least one size on the maker’s own store, cheapest per ounce first in each wash-day step. Dyson Airwrap Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2026 Dyson’s own Airwrap prices now and last Black Friday, which set comes with the diffuser and comb for curls, and when last year’s lowest prices came.