How to Tame Naturally Curly Hair

Co-authored by Michael Van den Abbeel

Last Updated: November 5, 2023 Approved

Oh no! Your curly hair is acting up again! It is a frizzy mess, and it seems that no matter what you do, it wants to be wild and unruly. Fortunately, there are ways to tame your curls. This article will show you some quick and easy fixes, as well as give you advice on how you keep your hair looking nice.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Quick Fixes to Tame Curls

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1
Tame that frizz with some smoothing hair milk or cream. Pour a small amount of smoothing hair milk or cream, also known as leave-in conditioner, onto your palm and rub your palms together. Then, gently work the milk or cream into your hair, running your fingers between the strands. Try to focus on the ends and outer portion of your hair, where it is driest and less on the roots. When choosing a smoothing hair milk or cream, look for something that does not contain sulfates and silicones.
- Silicones are plastics that can only be washed out with sulfates, which are harsh, drying, and damaging cleaning agents.
Create a homemade leave-in conditioner by diluting some of your hair conditioner with water. Apply it to your hair to help tame the frizz and hydrate your curls.^{[1]
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Research source} Gently work it into the strands, focusing more on the ends of the hair, and less on the scalp. This won't get rid of the dryness forever, but it will help conceal it until the next time you wash your hair.

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3
Smooth your hair down with some natural Moroccan Argan oil. It may be expensive, but it is incredibly good for your hair. Try to use pure Argan oil, as opposed to products containing Argan oil (especially if those same products contain harmful silicones and sulfates). It not only moisturizes your hair, but also nourishes it and helps it appear smoother. It is also great for kinky curly hair. Simply apply a pea-sized drop to your hair, working small sections at a time.
- If you do not have any Argan oil and need to fix your hair fast, consider using another natural oil, such as coconut oil or olive oil
4
Detangle wet hair using a comb or your fingers. Brushing dry curls can lead to breakage and even more frizz. When your hair is wet, run a wide-toothed comb or your fingers through your hair instead.^{[2]
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Research source} Try to re-sculpt your curls by winding your locks around your finger, and gently letting go.
- The tightness of your curls and the width of the teeth on your comb heavily impact whether or not combing your hair will create frizz and breakage.
5
Style your hair to hide the frizz. Sometimes, curly hair is just plain stubborn and there is little you can do while out on the run. If you don't have time for a shower, and if your hair simply won't behave, pull it back into a ponytail, a braid, or some other hair style. The hair style won't make the frizz go away, but it can help hide and disguise it.
- If you have shorter hair, consider clipping parts of it back, or even tying a chic bandana around your head.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Long-Term Fixes

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1
Consider using hair masks, oils, and other long-term fixes. Sometimes, you will need to invest a little more time in taming your curly hair. These methods often include using hair masks and oils and tend to last a little bit longer. This section will give you some basic recipes for masks and oils that may leave your hair feeling soft and shiny.
- Keep in mind that everyone's curls are a little different, and that what works for your friend's curls may not work for yours. If one method does not work, do not despair: take a deep breath and try something else.
2
Use coconut oil as a hair mask or leave-in conditioner. Coconut oil not only smells delicious, but it is also incredibly good for your hair. It not only keeps the frizz at bay, but it also stimulates hair growth and reintroduces moisture and shine into your hair. You can either use it as a hair mask or as a leave-in conditioner.
- To use it as a leave-in conditioner, scoop out a small pea-sized amount of coconut oil and rub it between your palms to warm it up. Then, start massaging it into your start, starting from the ends. You want the most oil on the ends of your hair, and the least oil towards the roots.^{[3]
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Mix honey and olive oil to make a moisture-replenishing mask for dry hair. You will need ½ cup honey and ¼ cup olive oil.^{[4]
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Research source} Combine the mixture and warm it up a little bit over a stove or in the microwave, then apply it to your hair, one small section at a time. Place a shower cap over your hair and let the mask sit for 30 minutes.^{[5]
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- You can dampen your hair prior to the treatment using a spray bottle containing conditioner diluted with water first. This method helps kinky curly hair.^{[6]
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- You can also substitute the olive oil for 3 tablespoons of warm coconut oil. Leave this mask on your hair for 10 minutes, then rinse it out.^{[7]
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You can create a luxurious mask for your hair using just olive oil. Simply heat up a tablespoon or so of olive oil (not hot) and apply it generously to your hair. Loosely pile your hair on top of your hair and, if necessary, secure it with a clip. Place a shower cap over your hair. Leave the mask in your hair for 20 minutes, then wash it out using shampoo and conditioner.
5
Use a vinegar rinse. Vinegar may smell pungent, but when diluted with water, it can make your hair appear soft and shiny.^{[8]
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Research source} It not only restores the natural pH of your hair,^{[9]
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Research source} but also removes any soap residue. Dilute 1/3 cup (75 milliliters) of vinegar in 1 quart (1 liter) of cool water, and pour it over your hair at the end of your shower. The cool water will close the hair cuticles, making your hair look softer and shinier. Follow up with a regular shampoo and conditioner to remove the vinegar smell from your hair. Use this rinse once or twice a month.
- You can use apple cider vinegar or distilled white vinegar.
- Play around with the proportions. Some people's hair requires a higher concentration of vinegar, while others need more water in their solution.
- Use caution if you have color-treated hair, as the vinegar rinse may take the color out.^{[10]
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- Consider adding herbs to your vinegar. Simply boil the herbs in the water first, then strain the herbs out using a sieve. Let the water cool, then add the vinegar. Chamomile is best for light hair, while rosemary is good for dark hair. Lavender and lemon verbena will add fragrance to your rinse while calendula will help condition your hair further.^{[11]
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6
Make an all-in-one solution. You can easily make a hair smoothing solution using some shampoo, conditioner, and hair oil. You can do this by mixing one part shampoo, one part conditioner, and one part hair gel. Place everything into an empty bottle, and shake it vigorously to combine the contents. Use this solution as you would any shampoo and be sure to rinse your hair out afterwards.
- You can also use a small amount of this solution as a sort of leave-in conditioner.
- You can dilute a small amount of this solution with water and use a spray bottle to dampen your hair.
If your hair continues being unruly, consider going to an experienced stylist you trust and having him or her trim your hair. He or she will trim off the split, damaged ends, which are partly-responsible for frizz. If you are choosing a new stylist, make sure that he or she knows how to trim or cut curly hair.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Knowing What to Do and Avoid

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Curly hair may be fun to play with, but touching it too much disrupts the shape of the curl, leading to frizz.
Curly hair becomes frizzy when brushed. If your hair becomes tangled, you can start untangling it with your fingers and then finish with a wide-toothed comb, or use a wide-toothed comb the whole time.
3
Comb your hair properly. Improper brushing leads to frizzy hair, and frizzy hair leads to frustration and distress. The direction in which your comb your hair as well as whether or not your hair is wet will make a difference. Here are some tips for combing your curls properly:
- Do not comb your hair from the roots down. Instead, start combing your hair in small sections, starting from the ends and working your way up to the roots. Combing your hair from the roots down puts a lot of stress on your curls, creating snags, tangles, and breakage.
- Avoid combing your hair if it is dry. Instead, work on soaking-wet hair, and use a wide-toothed comb or your fingers. Apply some conditioner or detangler into your curls, and gently detangle them by running your comb or fingers through them. Be sure to start from the roots first.
- If you must brush your hair when it is dry, do so using a wet, wide-toothed comb or wet fingers.
When your hair is still wet, you will notice that it may still retain some of its shape. Find those curls and wrap the hair strands around your finger, gently reshaping them. This method is known as finger coiling or curling.
It may sound unsanitary, but washing your hair every day strips it of its natural oils. This leaves your hair feeling brittle and dry. If you have tight curls, you may only need to wash your hair once a week. If you find that you need to wash your hair about 2 times a week, you can also use a dry shampoo in between days to keep your hair looking fresh.
6
Moisturize your hair with the right shampoo and conditioner. Part of the reason why your hair appears frizzy, unruly, and untamed might be because it is too dry. When buying your next bottle of shampoo and conditioner, look for something that says "Moisturizing."
- Consider buying shampoo and conditioner specifically designed for curly hair. These shampoos and conditioners are not only moisturizing, but also gentle on your hair, preventing it from further damage. Look for labels that say "For Curly Hair," or something similar.
7
Consider deep conditioning once a week. Curly hair tends to get dry more easily than other types. A deep conditioner, however, will help replenish any lost moisture, leaving your hair feeling soft and luxurious. Most deep conditioners need to be applied right after your shower and left on for about 5 to 20 minutes, but refer to the directions on the container for more specific times. Be sure to tuck your hair under a shower cap while you are waiting for the deep conditioner to do its work. The cap will keep the warmth and moisture in, making the conditioner even more effective.
- Sit under a heated hair dryer while wearing the cap to condition even more.
Sulfates are cleaning agents that tend to be especially harsh on naturally curly hair. They can strip your hair of its natural oils and moisture, making it dry and brittle. Silicones are plastics that help add shine to your hair, but can only be removed using the damaging sulfates; therefore, you must avoid using both. Parabens on the other hand are preservatives that may cause cancer.^{[12]
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Avoid heat styling when possible. This means no hair straighteners, no curling irons, and no hair driers. Instead, allow your hair to dry on its own. If you must use a hair drier, then use a cool setting and a diffuser. This makes the heat less intense and helps distribute it evenly throughout your hair. It also won't disrupt the curls.
- If you must use hair straighteners and curling irons, then be sure to protect your hair by misting it with a heat protecting spray.
Towels may feel soft against your skin, but they are anything but soft when it comes to curly hair. The fibers on your towel tug and pull on your hair and cause friction, which in turn creates frizz. Dry your hair using an old, clean T-shirt instead.

Expert Q&A

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Question

How do you stretch your curls out?

Ashley Adams
Professional Hair Stylist
Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.

Ashley Adams

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Curls can be stretched out by using a curl stretching cream (which is sold at some beauty supply stores), or by doing a braid or twist method, and letting the hair dry while it's braided or twisted. After unraveling, your curls shouldn't be as shrunken.

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Question

My hair is impossible to tame will these things really work?

Ashley Adams
Professional Hair Stylist
Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.

Ashley Adams

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Give it a shot! Following these steps may be beneficial to taming your curls.

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My hair is a lot more wild than the pictures. Will these solutions still work?

Ayyat Khurram

Community Answer

They will help.

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Tips

Not everyone's hair is the same, and what may work for your friend's curly hair may not necessarily work for yours. If one method or product does not work, try another.

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Avoid sleeping with wet curly hair as this creates friction and causes your hair to from tangles or knots. Instead, dry your hair and put it up into a simple ponytail or loose bun.

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Warnings

Avoid using a hot iron or chemical relaxers in your hair. They will permanently damage your hair and make the frizz worse.

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If you have chemically-treated or colored hair, use caution with the vinegar rinse.

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