General Styling & Care Tips

There's no one-size-fits-all curly hair routine, but these are solid foundations that work for most curl types. Start simple and adjust from there.

1. Shampoo gently, 1–3 times per week. Use a sulfate-free shampoo. Focus on your scalp, not the ends. Over-washing strips natural oils your curls need.
2. Condition generously. Curly hair is naturally drier because oils from your scalp have a harder time traveling down coiled strands. Use a rich conditioner and let it sit for a few minutes.
3. Detangle gently, on wet, conditioned hair. Use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers. Start from the ends and work up. Never brush dry curly hair.
4. Apply styling products to soaking-wet hair. This is the #1 tip for defined curls. Scrunch in a leave-in conditioner, then a gel or mousse.
5. Dry without disturbing your curls. Plop with a microfiber towel or cotton t-shirt, then air dry or diffuse on low heat. Don't touch until fully dry.
6. Scrunch out the crunch. If you use gel, wait until your hair is 100% dry, then gently scrunch to break the gel cast. Hello, soft, defined curls.

Your curls can look great for multiple days between washes. Here's how to keep them fresh.

• Sleep in a satin bonnet or on a silk pillowcase. Cotton pillowcases create friction that causes frizz and flattens curls. A pineapple (loose, high ponytail) also helps.
• Refresh with water and a light product. Spritz your curls with water or a water-based refresher spray. Scrunch gently. Add a tiny bit of leave-in if needed.
• Don't over-refresh. Too many layers of product between washes leads to buildup. Sometimes a quick spritz of water is all you need.

• Brushing dry hair. This breaks up your curl pattern and causes frizz. Only detangle when wet with conditioner.
• Using a regular terrycloth towel. The rough texture roughs up the hair cuticle. Switch to microfiber or a soft cotton t-shirt.
• Touching your hair while it dries. Every touch disrupts the curl as it forms, leading to frizz. Hands off until it's fully dry.
• Using too much heat. If you must blow-dry, use a diffuser on low heat. Limit flat iron use.
• Skipping trims. Split ends travel up the hair shaft and make your curls look scraggly. Regular trims keep your shape fresh.

Everyone's curls are different, so product recommendations depend on your specific hair type, porosity, and density. During your appointment, Jessica can help identify what works best for your hair.

[Personalized product recommendations TBD — will update with Jessica's curated picks for different curl types]

As a general guideline, curly haircuts are best refreshed every 8–12 weeks. If you're growing out your curls, you might stretch it a bit longer. If you're maintaining a specific shape, every 6–8 weeks keeps it looking sharp.

Not sure what you need? Book a consultation — no pressure, just a conversation about your hair goals.