How to Create Gorgeous Defined Curls

These tips, routines and products will help you achieve and care for beautiful, healthy curls

Creating curls and coils that hold their shape and feel healthy might sound far-fetched, but it’s completely doable. That being said, you’ve likely been bombarded with tonnes of methodologies and techniques out there. With so much information, it can be both confusing and frustrating. That’s where we come in. We’re here to help you find a curly-haired routine that creates defined curls in the simplest way possible.

We have expert-backed tips for those who are trying to figure out how to get naturally curly hair and how to get straight hair curly. Let’s jump right into how to get defined curls, and the best ways to maintain curly hair.

Understanding Your Hair Type

Before you jump into a new haircare routine, it’s important to figure out your curl type. Knowing what your curl, wave or coil pattern is makes it possible to build a routine that actually supports your hair. Naturally curly and coily hair will have a different set of washing and styling methods from one another, and these will look very different from a routine fit for straight hair.

How to Get Defined Curls

Ready to get curls with beautiful definition and healthy texture? These steps will lead the way. If you’re still unsure where to begin, we recommend visiting one of our salons and speaking with a stylist who can identify your hair type and recommend the best routine and products.

Cleanse and Co-Wash

First, start by cleansing your hair with a shampoo that can both moisturize and get rid of styling product residue, grease and build-up. Use a formula made for curls that’s free of sulfates, like Essential Haircare LOVE CURL Shampoo. This has B and E vitamins, protein and potent Noto almond extract—all of which contribute to more elastic, hydrated curls. How often you wash your hair really depends on its shape, texture and characteristics. For curly and coily hair, two to four times a week is a good starting guideline.

Follow this up with a co-wash, which is when you use a conditioner to cleanse your hair a second time. The point of it is to give your hair an extra wash without drying it out further. The LOVE CURL Cleansing Cream is ideal for this as it cleans your hair whilst softening it.

Condition and Nourish

Following your cleanse and co-wash, next use a nourishing conditioner. This should be one that adds moisture, like the LOVE CURL Conditioner, which makes it easier to comb through hair and gives it the nutrients it needs. Scrunch it through your curls thoroughly before rinsing.

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Define Curls with Wet Hair

This next step is also important—you want to shape your curls and begin the styling process whilst your hair is still wet. This not only makes it easier to define your curl or coil shape, but it cuts down on frizz and tangling.

Work in a gel or spray formula, like LOVE CURL Primer, and start defining your hair shape with your fingers. It’s better to avoid excessively drying your hair (whether that’s with a towel or dryer) and to avoid using a brush or comb at this point.

From there, you’ll want to choose styling products based on your specific curls and coils. This could be mousses, gels or creams. The aim is to run them through your hair, then drop or “plop” them into a cotton towel. This holds the shape and helps dry our hair without damaging it or causing excessive friction (which leads to frizz).

Air Dry or Diffuse?

When it comes to curls, it’s often best to air dry your hair. This can contribute to better volume, shape and overall hair health. However, sometimes you need to dry your hair quickly or simply don’t have time to air dry. If that’s the case, opt for a hair dryer with a diffuser attachment, that disperses the airflow more gently and evenly. Use a heat protectant and run your dryer on a low or cool air setting. The diffuser head is also key to using a blow dryer with curls, as it sends out the air in a way that doesn’t flatten or damage the strands as much.

Styling Tools and Techniques for Defined Curls

There are a few other recommendations we have in our curly hair guide that we suggest trying to achieve gorgeous curls:

Use styling tools sparingly: A curling wand or iron can help shape your natural curls. That said, we recommend using heat as little as possible to prevent extra damage. If you do use heat, use it on a low setting and add more of that heat protectant!
Try hair slugging: This unique method involves applying oil or a treatment to your hair and wrapping it—often overnight—to deeply lock in moisture and enhance shine.
Use pre-treatments: These extra steps make for better curl hair prep and more successful styling. This Is a Curl Building Serum is one such option
Keep hair hydrated: Hydration is key! Dried-out curls can lead to more damage and frizz. For shine, softness and serious definition, keep moisture top of mind.

Styling Products for Curly Hair

It’s no secret that a large number of curly hair products exist. A professional can help you find a fitting routine. And there’s nothing wrong with a little experimentation to see what cleansing, conditioning and styling products interact best with your hair specifically. Every person is beautifully different in their own way.

We have no shortage of recommendations for our curly-haired friends that’ll help keep curls strong and healthy. For a few products made for curly hair, head to our Essential Haircare LOVE CURL line, which is made with your hair type in mind. Our LOVE CURL Mask is a great source of hydration and nourishment for curls. If humidity and frizz are causing commotion, the LOVE CURL Controller smooths things out.

Try This is a Curl Gel Oil for a styling formula that transitions from a gel to an oil that helps hydrate and shape your curls. If you need something to spruce up your hair between shampoos, try the LOVE CURL Revitalizer to breathe some life back into your curls and boost their elasticity

Get your curls ready

How to Get Straight Hair Curly

You might first be wondering how to get curly hair without a perm. It is possible through the use of styling tools and products, but only temporarily. One of the most popular options for making straight hair curly is using a heated curling wand, curling iron or straightener.

The heated barrel or plates warm up your hair to keep it in a curled shape. There are various diameters to choose from, whether you prefer tight ringlets or softer waves. With hairspray, styling gels and dry shampoo, these can last for a day to a few days. It’s important to always use a heat protectant to limit damage. Although it’s an easy way to get curly hair, after long-term use hot tools can cause dry hair and breakage.

You can also opt for curlers, which can be worn for a few hours to an entire night. Once they’re taken out, you’re left with curls that can last for a day or two, depending on your hair type. Specialised products can also boost waves and curls in hair that may not be naturally curly already, such as a wave spray.

If you’re looking for a more permanent solution, a perm is another option with the help of salon professionals. A curly or wavy perm uses chemicals to change your hair texture. This creates bonds within your hair structure that turn the strands from straight to curly. A perm is not completely permanent, however, it can last for up to six months.

How to Maintain Curls Overnight

When it’s time for bed, you might be wondering about the tricks to maintaining curls overnight. There are some methods worth testing out until you find the best one (or combo) that works for you and your hair texture. These are some of the most common options:

Tie it up: If you have longer hair, it’s sometimes best to tie it up whilst you sleep. Use a scrunchie made out of silk or another material that’s gentler on curls and loosely tie your hair into a bun on the top of your head. Just be sure that the style is loose so it doesn’t cause tightness, tension or breakage.
Sleep on a silk pillowcase: Try swapping your pillowcases for silk or satin material. Silk is slicker than your standard cotton or polyester pillowcase. That means there is less friction and therefore less frizz and damage.
Use a bonnet or scarf: This works similarly to sleeping on a silk pillowcase. The silky material of a bonnet covers and protects your hair from any rubbing or movement whilst you sleep.
Lightly moisturise: Use a moisturising spray or revitaliser before bed to give your curls or coils an extra dose of hydration.

Can You Really Achieve Natural, Permanent Curls?

It’s possible to learn how to get curly hair naturally; permanently, however, depends on your hair type. You can achieve natural, permanent curls if you have a wavy, curly or curly hair type. For our community members with straight hair, the closest thing to permanent curls comes from a salon perm. Otherwise, you can create waves and curls temporarily through heated tools, curlers and products.

The most important thing of all is giving your hair love and care that’s customised to its particular type. Even if you’d like a different hair shape or texture, we always encourage embracing the hair you have—it’s beautiful just the way it is.

Leave It to the Experts

If you feel your curls deserve a little extra care, visit one of our salons for a professional-grade treatment tailored specifically for curly hair.

Find your nearest salon

Read more

How to Create Gorgeous Defined Curls

Understanding Your Hair Type

How to Get Defined Curls

Cleanse and Co-Wash

Condition and Nourish

LOVE CURL Cleansing Cream

Curl Vibrant Set

LOVE CURL Mask