You know how no two snowflakes are the same? Well, no two curls are the same, either. Every curly-haired guy and girl can sit you down and tell you their routine — and it'd be totally different from your friend's, sister's, or coworker's.
Like any other beauty or skin-care routine, maintaining your curls is all about trial, error, and a whole lot of product sampling. And admittedly, it can be a bit of a headache. But healthy and bouncy hair is so worth it in the end.
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Ahead, six Refinery29 editors with type 2, 3, and 4 curls share their routines, along with the products that keep their waves, curls, and coils springy. Check them out, then let us know your favorite products in the comments below.
Thatiana Diaz, Beauty Writer
Curl Type: 2C
Curl Type: 2C
"As someone who straightens her hair from time to time, defining my curls isn't as easy as applying water and voila; I really have to get into my strands and scrunch away with product. I'm also a victim of frizz — I take one step into any level of humidity, and there's immediately fuzz everywhere.
"Washing & styling my curls is a time commitment and over-washing them can also cause damage, so I try not to shampoo my hair more than twice a week. For about three years now, I've been using the Jamaican Black Caster Oil shampoo and conditioner from Shea Moisture. It's the secret to my healthy strands, and why my hair grows so fast."
"Washing & styling my curls is a time commitment and over-washing them can also cause damage, so I try not to shampoo my hair more than twice a week. For about three years now, I've been using the Jamaican Black Caster Oil shampoo and conditioner from Shea Moisture. It's the secret to my healthy strands, and why my hair grows so fast."
"Once I'm out of the shower, I wrap a white cotton t-shirt (another preventative measure for frizz) around my head and let my hair dry a bit before I start styling. Once I feel like it's dry enough, I'll comb my hair and then scrunch out the remaining water with the t-shirt."
"Next, I'll divide my hair into two sections — one over each shoulder — and work a generous amount of curl lotion through each one with my fingers. I'll take a little bit more of the cream, flip my head upside down, and scrunch, scrunch, scrunch. I usually like to let my curls air dry but when I'm in a time crunch, I'll use the DevaCurl Devafuser and put my blowdryer on the lowest heat setting. I avoid using hot air for the sake of preventing frizz."
"Next, I'll divide my hair into two sections — one over each shoulder — and work a generous amount of curl lotion through each one with my fingers. I'll take a little bit more of the cream, flip my head upside down, and scrunch, scrunch, scrunch. I usually like to let my curls air dry but when I'm in a time crunch, I'll use the DevaCurl Devafuser and put my blowdryer on the lowest heat setting. I avoid using hot air for the sake of preventing frizz."
"Whenever my hair starts to look dull or feels like its getting unbearably dry, I apply this Dominican hair mask before I shower, leave it on for 10 minutes, and rinse it out. One use and my hair feels like it's brand new."
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Patia Braithwaite, Health Editor
Curl Type: 4C
Curl Type: 4C
"When I first went natural, I picked any product that sounded either expensive or edible. But I quickly realized that my hair is happiest when it's hydrated and I'm not touching it all the time. So now, I try to do protective styles (braids, crochet hairstyles, buns) so that I'm not messing with it every single day."
"I'm horrible at maintaining a wash/condition schedule, but on wash days I detangle with conditioners like Cantu Shea Butter Ultra Moisturizing Rinse Out Conditioner or SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Recovery Treatment Mask. I also wash my hair one section at a time so that I'm not encouraging knots and tangles when I shampoo."
"I'm horrible at maintaining a wash/condition schedule, but on wash days I detangle with conditioners like Cantu Shea Butter Ultra Moisturizing Rinse Out Conditioner or SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Recovery Treatment Mask. I also wash my hair one section at a time so that I'm not encouraging knots and tangles when I shampoo."
"When I wear my hair out, I tend to do braid-outs or twist-outs. I try to make it as simple as possible: Before bed, I spritz my hair with water, apply SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie, and braid my hair in 8-10 plaits, which takes about 20 minutes. Finally, I wrap my hair in a satin scarf so that my hair is nice and wavy in the am."
Candace Whye, Insights Manager
Curl Type: 4C
Curl Type: 4C
"Moisture. Moisture. Moisture. My skin needs it, my hair needs it, everything needs it! That's why I swear by the LOC method to keep my curls happy and healthy. If you're unfamiliar, the LOC method relies on locking in moisture with a sequence of liquid, oil, then cream. And like most curlies, I don't wash my hair more than once a week.
"On a typical morning, I start my L phase by hydrating my strands with steam in the shower. I follow that up with Paul Mitchell Leave-In Conditioner. After that, I'm ready to seal in all that liquid with an oil. I separate my hair into sections (about four), and saturate with Trader Joe's Coconut Oil. Finally, I end the process with a Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Style Milk by Shea Moisture. I am the wash-and-go queen, and love a bit of frizz and volume, so I'm actually quite stingy with the C phase and how I apply this cream styler.
"I allow my hair to grow exponentially throughout the day (with a little manual fluffing), and by mid-afternoon, my crown has reached its full glory. I compensate for the air-dry and minimal cream by always sleeping on a satin pillowcase — that's the real secret for moisture retention."
"On a typical morning, I start my L phase by hydrating my strands with steam in the shower. I follow that up with Paul Mitchell Leave-In Conditioner. After that, I'm ready to seal in all that liquid with an oil. I separate my hair into sections (about four), and saturate with Trader Joe's Coconut Oil. Finally, I end the process with a Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Style Milk by Shea Moisture. I am the wash-and-go queen, and love a bit of frizz and volume, so I'm actually quite stingy with the C phase and how I apply this cream styler.
"I allow my hair to grow exponentially throughout the day (with a little manual fluffing), and by mid-afternoon, my crown has reached its full glory. I compensate for the air-dry and minimal cream by always sleeping on a satin pillowcase — that's the real secret for moisture retention."
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Elena Nicolaou, Entertainment Writer
Curl Type: 3B
Curl Type: 3B
"Figuring out what works for my hair is a process that has taken 23 years of experimentation, epic fails, and conversations with strangers whose frizzless curly hair I coveted (some of the best product recommendations have come from spontaneous interactions with strangers)."
"Obviously, the styling process starts in the shower. Every couple of days — around when my scalp feels dirty — I use a sulfate-free shampoo for a deep clean. I condition almost every time I shower (I could probably get away with conditioning less and have been working on it). I’m not discriminatory with my conditioners — I buy whatever comes in the largest size like Costco’s fantastic bulk-size moisturizing conditioner. This Madame CJ Walker conditioner is the best smelling one I’ve used. Once I week I use Curlisto’s Deep Therapy Masque to get that extra moisture."
"Obviously, the styling process starts in the shower. Every couple of days — around when my scalp feels dirty — I use a sulfate-free shampoo for a deep clean. I condition almost every time I shower (I could probably get away with conditioning less and have been working on it). I’m not discriminatory with my conditioners — I buy whatever comes in the largest size like Costco’s fantastic bulk-size moisturizing conditioner. This Madame CJ Walker conditioner is the best smelling one I’ve used. Once I week I use Curlisto’s Deep Therapy Masque to get that extra moisture."
"For me, frizz is enemy No. 1. I hate when my hair gets crunchy when it’s dry, like each layer is coated in gel. But often, gel is the only way to get rid of the frizz. What a bind! My answer has come through leave-in conditioner, and lots of it. I swear by these two: Fast Food by AG, and Repair Styling Cream by Curlisto. Fast Food is super thick, so you don’t need much of it. But it works actual wonders."
"I style in sections while my hair is wet. First, I condition, then I apply a layer of Structura Lotion by Curlisto. To achieve ridiculous (and I mean ridiculous bounce), run – do not walk — to buy Re:Coil by AG. I do not know what magic this bottle contains, but it’s the only product that turns my hair into perfect coils.
"Usually, I sleep with a turban on my hair (or just put it in a bun). When I wash my hair in the morning, I’ll either use a diffuser or just let it air dry."
"Usually, I sleep with a turban on my hair (or just put it in a bun). When I wash my hair in the morning, I’ll either use a diffuser or just let it air dry."
Ariana Romero, Entertainment Writer
Curl Type: 3C
Curl Type: 3C
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"Calling my curly hair routine 'involved' would probably be the understatement of my life. I have type 3C hair, so I’m always trying to get as much length as possible. I shampoo about every two weeks, even though I know a week-and-half would be better, buildup-wise. When it comes to wash days, I comb my hair with a wide-tooth comb with a mix of combing cream (currently from Amla Legend) and leave-in conditioner spray (currently from the Carol's Daughter's Black Vanilla collection)."
"On the daily, I condition and don't rinse the product out. That way, it helps weigh down my curls for length. Right now I’m using the Lotta Body Hydrate Me Moisturizing Conditioner."
"For styling, I make a mix from Trader Joe's coconut oil, my Curl Box goodies, and whatever else I’ve recently bought. I’m currently using Creme Of Nature's Flexible Styling Snot (funny name, great product), Mielle Organics Babassu Oil & Mint Deep Conditioner, Paul Mitchell Express Style Round Trip..."
"And, finally, the Ouidad Heat and Humidity Gel. After adding products, I tie two buns on top of my head, do my makeup, and then take the buns out to blow-dry using high heat on the low setting. Then, I blast my hair with the cool shot button (especially the back since my hair traps heat really well) and finish with a strong hold hairspray."
Khalea Underwood, Beauty Writer
Curl Type: 4C
Curl Type: 4C
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"I'm still figuring out how to take care of my natural hair, but what's worked for me so far is this: lots of moisture. My hair is thick and dries out very, very fast — it sucks water and product up like a sponge. That's something that I keep in mind while washing. I shampoo about once a month. Lately, DevaCurl's No-Poo Decadence cleanser has been my saving grace. While my hair is still wet, I'll finger comb to get the tangles out."
"Then, I'll condition. Right now, I'm really feeling Devacurl's One Conditioner Decadence — it makes my hair feel crazy soft. If I have time, I'll do a mask. The Carol's Daughter Almond Milk Ultra-Nourishing Hair Mask works really, really well.
"Once I rinse out my mask, I stretch using the coolest setting on my Amika Immortal Power-Life Dryer. I'll hold pieces of my hair as taut as possible, using the concentrator on my roots... but not too long, because I'm not trying to dry it out completely.
"My nighttime routine gets a little tricky. Again — I am not trying to spend an hour twisting or braiding my hair... but sometimes, it's necessary to fight the tangles. I'll either do four big, chunky cornrows after hydrating with the activator creme, or just slip on a Grace Eleyae satin-lined cap when it isn't too hot.
"At a recent visit to Hale Organic Salon, the stylist that I worked with showed me a hack that's similar to the pineapple method, since my hair's too short for that. I simply take a scarf, hold both ends tightly, and put it on from the back so that my 'fro falls forward. I tie it in the front and tuck both ends in before falling asleep on my satin pillowcase."
"Once I rinse out my mask, I stretch using the coolest setting on my Amika Immortal Power-Life Dryer. I'll hold pieces of my hair as taut as possible, using the concentrator on my roots... but not too long, because I'm not trying to dry it out completely.
"My nighttime routine gets a little tricky. Again — I am not trying to spend an hour twisting or braiding my hair... but sometimes, it's necessary to fight the tangles. I'll either do four big, chunky cornrows after hydrating with the activator creme, or just slip on a Grace Eleyae satin-lined cap when it isn't too hot.
"At a recent visit to Hale Organic Salon, the stylist that I worked with showed me a hack that's similar to the pineapple method, since my hair's too short for that. I simply take a scarf, hold both ends tightly, and put it on from the back so that my 'fro falls forward. I tie it in the front and tuck both ends in before falling asleep on my satin pillowcase."
"Normally after that, I'd do a twist-out. But frankly, I just don't have the patience for that these days. Plus, I really like what my coils look like without manipulating them. I've been trying out Creme of Nature's Moisture & Shine Curl Activator Creme. Not so turned on by its strong scent, but love how it coats my hair and makes my curls come alive."
"In the morning, I'll refresh my hair with my Taliah Waajid Shea-Coco Daily Leave-In Conditioner or Vernon François' Re~Vamp Moisture Spray. When I finger comb, I make sure to really focus on the ends so that my curls separate appropriately."
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