15 Women Spill Their Curly Hair Routine Secrets

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At some point, any person who’s been on their natural hair journey for quite some time will reach a nexus of gratification, where they realize that they’ve not only built a curly hair routine that works for them, but they’ve also learned to love their texture. Getting to that place takes time, of course; it takes time to find the best styling products for your hair, and you have to build an arsenal of easy curly hairstyles to wear on the days your curls aren’t poppin‘. Even when you feel like you have achieved a solid curly hair routine, there’s always something you can do to update it, such as testing new products or making slight tweaks to maximize your routine’s benefits. With that in mind, we spoke with a mix of influencers, founders, and hairstylists to learn about their routines and get tips for building a curly hair routine that works for you. Whether you’ve been all-natural for years or are just learning about the different types of curl patterns, keep reading for expert-approved methods that will make your beautiful hair even better.

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(Image credit: @fris.ee)

WHO: Ashley, Content Creator

What curl pattern, porosity, and elasticity do you have? 

3A curls, medium porosity, and high-density. 

What curly hairstyle do you swear by?

Wash-and-go! I love wearing my hair down.

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(Image credit: @julianraddo
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WHO: Julian Addo, Founder and CEO of Adwoa Beauty

What curl pattern, porosity, and elasticity do you have? 

I have a mixture of 3c (at the nape), 4a (on the left and right side), and 4b (in the middle) medium-density, low-porosity hair texture. 

What curly hairstyle do you swear by?

I wear my hair down and out 98% of the time. I used to swear by twist-outs when I started my natural-hair journey back in 2012, but with a busier lifestyle and my natural hair pattern, it’s more work and manipulation than I care to do weekly. 

What tip do you swear by for building a curly hair routine?

Deep conditioning weekly or biweekly with a quality treatment or mask. This is an absolute must for moisturized hair all week long with textured hair. The more texture hair has, the more it needs intensive treatment weekly.

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(Image credit: @actually_ashly)

WHO: Ashly Rodriguez, Content Creator

What curl pattern, porosity, and elasticity do you have?

I would say I’m a 3c but do have different textures throughout my hair. And I have a mix of high and low porosity. 

What curly hairstyle do you swear by? 

My go-to is a wash-and-go. But I love me a good three-strand twist out. The definition it gives my hair is out of this world!

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(Image credit: @beanieboamah)

WHO: Abena Boamah, Founder and CEO of Hanahana Beauty 

What curl pattern, porosity, and elasticity do you have? 

I have 4c hair, very tight curls. 

What curly hairstyle do you swear by?

I love protective styles; they’re simple, easy, and cute. I love getting braids and different types of crochet styles. I've had the same hairdresser (shout-out to Joy) for years, so we always try new styles and love perfecting different hairstyles. 

What tip do you swear by for building a curly hair routine? 

Hydration is key. However you’re choosing to style your hair, make sure you invest in hydrating products to keep your curls healthy. 

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(Image credit: @janibellrosanne)

WHO: Janibell Rosanne, Content Creator

What curl pattern, porosity, and elasticity do you have? 

I have 3c hair with some 3b and 4a. My hair is low porosity. 

What tip do you swear by for building a curly hair routine? 

Test new product cocktails you haven’t tried before on the back of your hand before applying them to your hair. Some product formulas just don't mix well and will clump up. By testing it out on your hand first, you can avoid a bad hair day.

What curly hairstyle do you swear by?

I alternate between wash-and-gos and slick buns. I did my first-ever protective style (twists) last year, though, and I loved it!

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(Image credit: @angelacstyles)

WHO: Angela Stevens, Emmy Award–winning hairstylist and Cantu partner

What curl pattern, porosity, and elasticity do you have? 

My hair type or curl pattern is between 4a and 4c. When it comes to porosity, it is high and absorbs moisture easily, but it tends to dry. Elasticity is minimal due to coloring, so it doesn't stretch. 

What tip do you swear by for building a curly hair routine?

Not to have expectations as to what your hair will look day by day. Ride the wave because hair can have different personalities. Also: Moisture, lots of it. Adding more: water, leave-in, creams, or oils to get to the ends.

What curly hairstyle do you swear by?

A cute high puff with sideburns/baby hairs or a two-strand twist-out.

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(Image credit: @lynnkatee)

WHO: Lynn Kate, Beauty-and-Lifestyle Influencer

What curl pattern, porosity, and elasticity do you have? 

I have normal- to high-porosity hair and a 3A/3B curl pattern.  

What tip do you swear by for building a curly hair routine? 

There are many essential tips to building a healthy curly hair routine, but the number one I swear by is deep-conditioning one to two times a week! It helps provide that intense deep moisture that your curls need whether your hair is healthy or still transitioning. If you are consistent with it, you will see a difference in your curls so much faster. 

What curly hairstyle do you swear by? 

I swear by wash-and-gos and my signature hairstyle, which is clipping the top front of your hair with a small clip so your hair looks more voluminous on top and curls are away from your face. This one is great for the summer!

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Merian Odesho)

WHO: Merian Odesho, Founder and Cosmetic Formulator of Bounce Curl

What curl pattern, porosity, and elasticity do you have? 

My curl pattern is 3B, and I have medium-porosity hair. 

What tip do you swear by for building a curly hair routine?

For curly hair or any hair for that matter, using clean beauty products like Bounce Curl is vital for good hair health. Making sure to use a curly hairstyling routine such as the flipped, upside-down clump method is also crucial.

What curly hairstyle do you swear by?

I swear by a wash-and-go routine because it’s the easiest for me.

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(Image credit: @lulu.ceo.bomba)

WHO: Lulu Cordero, CEO and Founder of Bomba Curls 

What curl pattern, porosity, and elasticity do you have? 

I have 3B and 3C curls with low porosity and normal elasticity. 

What tip do you swear by for building a curly hair routine? 

Deep-conditioning makes a huge difference in curl health and hydration! I make it a point to deep-condition every wash day, which results in softer, less frizzy, more manageable curls. 

What curly hairstyle do you swear by?

For every day, I swear by wash-and-go styling and braids for protective styling.

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(Image credit: @nikkinelms)

WHO: Nikki Nelms, Celebrity Hairstylist and Goody Brand Ambassador 

What curl pattern, porosity, and elasticity do you have? 

I have 4a/4b curls, but I’m used to working with all textures.

What curly hairstyle do you swear by? 

I don’t have any general go-to style for my clients because I consider face shape and personal style. For me, it’s all about doing what works best for each client individually. 

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(Image credit: @hairinel)

WHO: Irinel de León, Celebrity Hairstylist and Ouidad Brand Ambassador

What curl pattern, porosity, and elasticity do you have? 

I have a couple of different types of patterns ranging from type 3B to 3C. You can easily have different curl patterns throughout, and it can all depend on any kind of heat, chemical, or mechanical damage like pulling your hair back when it’s wet. 

What tip do you swear by for building a curly hair routine?

Identify your curl type and buy products that are meant for it. And don’t be afraid to play around with different application techniques.

What curly hairstyle do you swear by? 

I love a wash-and-go. It’s easy and gets me out the door quickly! 

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(Image credit: @curldaze)

WHO: Robyn Atwater, Founder of CurlDaze

What curl pattern, porosity, and elasticity do you have? 

I have many different curl patterns ranging from curly to wavy. I have low-porosity hair with high elasticity in the back and low elasticity in the front. 

What tip do you swear by for building a curly hair routine? 

Keep the heat off of your hair as much as you can. Excessive heat will kill your curls. When I first started my hair journey, I used to go without heat for three months, and my hair flourished.

What curly hairstyle do you swear by?

I swear by a slick bun. If I have anywhere to go at the last minute and I didn’t have time to do my hair, my slick bun never lets me down.

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(Image credit: @amirarasool)

WHO: Amira Rasool, Founder and CEO of The Folklore 

What curl pattern, porosity, and elasticity do you have? 

I typically define my hair as having a 3c to 4a curl pattern.

What tip do you swear by for building a curly hair routine? 

Moisture is the key. Make sure you refresh your hair with water every day with a spray bottle. You don’t want to drown your hair, but you want to make sure it has enough water to avoid breaking or tangling. 

What curly hairstyle do you swear by? 

I love a good wash-and-go. I usually do that once a week as a part of my self-care Sunday and then refresh my curls every day with a spray bottle that consists of water and a leave-in conditioner. Toward the end of the week, when my curls are not as defined and moist, I will do a slick-back bun or ponytail with a center part. During the summer or while I’m on vacation, I love to have knotless box braids. I will usually wear those for six weeks at a time.

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(Image credit: @dreamgirlshair)

WHO: Tonya Thompson and Sharie Wilson, Co-Founders of DreamGirls 

What curl pattern, porosity, and elasticity do you have? 

SW: I have 4a/b hair, medium porosity, and high elasticity. 

TT: I have 3b/3c curl type, medium porosity, and high elasticity.

What tip do you swear by for building a curly hair routine? 

SW + TT: The key to achieving any hair routine starts with a healthy scalp. When your scalp is clean and free of any buildup, including dandruff, natural oils, and excessive amounts of product, for example, it leaves a fresh canvas to style your hair as desired. To create the perfect routine for curly hair, it is vital to make sure your hair is moisturized so that your curls are hydrated, minimizing breakage and damage. 

What curly hairstyle do you swear by? 

SW: My go-to protective style is braids, but I love embracing my natural curls with a quick wash-and-go when I’m taking a break from my protective styles.

TT: My go-to is a nice, neat ponytail, but I’ve been playing with my natural curl pattern and wearing it freely a lot more lately.

This post was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

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Jasmine Fox-Suliaman
Editor

Jasmine Fox-Suliaman is a fashion editor living in New York City. What began as a hobby (blogging on Tumblr) transformed into a career dedicated to storytelling through various forms of digital media. She started her career at the print publication 303 Magazine, where she wrote stories, helped produce photo shoots, and planned Denver Fashion Week. After moving to Los Angeles, she worked as MyDomaine's social media editor until she was promoted to work across all of Clique's publications (MyDomaine, Byrdie, and Who What Wear) as the community manager. Over the past few years, Jasmine has worked on Who What Wear's editorial team, using her extensive background to champion rising BIPOC designers, weigh in on viral trends, and profile stars such as Janet Mock and Victoria Monét. She is especially interested in exploring how art, fashion, and pop culture intersect online and IRL.