The curly hairstyle can be a challenge to maintain especially after a shower and on damaged hair. However, with the right techniques, you can easily maintain and style your curly hair at home using just a few products and a diffuser.

In this post, I’ve provided a few simple ways to style curly hair after a shower, with bangs, and on damaged hair.  I’ve also included a tutorial for styling curly hair without products if you’d rather keep it more natural.

How to Style Curly Hair After a Shower

To style curly hair after a shower, make sure you wash your hair with a shampoo and conditioner that is formulated for curly hair. Plop your hair with a t-shirt to keep your curls from getting frizzy. Detangle your hair with a wide-tooth comb. Dry your hair with a blow dryer and diffuser then apply a cream styling product to protect and lock in your curls.

Here’s What You Need To Do:

1. Wash your hair in the shower with a shampoo and conditioner that is formulated for curly hair.
2. Apply a hair mask for extra conditioning then use a t-shirt to plop your hair dry. This helps your strands retain moisture and keeps your curls from getting frizzy. If you don’t have a t-shirt, I have written a detailed post on other things you can use to plop your hair. Check it out if you have time.
3. Part your hair into four sections (make sure your hair is free from all conditioner residue). The easiest way to do this is to split your hair in half down the middle and then split each section in half again.
4. Detangle each section with a wide-tooth comb. Use a spray bottle to keep your hair moisturized while you’re removing all the tangles from your hair.
5. Apply a heat protectant to your hair and use a blow dryer with a diffuser to dry your curls evenly without using excess heat.
6. Depending on your hair type, you may want to add a mousse or cream styling product to your hair to lock moisture in and add more definition to your curls.
7. If your hair is naturally dry or you have tight coils, you can seal your tresses with hair oil like coconut or avocado oil to keep moisture in and give your hair a beautiful shine. You can also add these oils to your shampoo or conditioner to keep your hair frizz-free without weighing your hair down.

How to Style Curly Hair With Bangs

The best way to style curly hair with bangs is to separate your bangs from the rest of your hair and then apply a curling cream or gel evenly from the roots to the tips of your bangs. Use your fingers as a styling tool to create the curls and use a diffuser to dry your hair. Finish off by separating your curls with your fingers to create a fluffy look. You can also use 2 bobby pins at the roots to help lift your bangs if they are too long.

The detailed tutorial below works great if you are looking to style curl hair with curly bangs.

Here’s What You Need To Do:

1. Wash your hair in the shower with a shampoo and conditioner that is formulated for curly hair.
2. Section your bangs from the rest of your hair. This doesn’t need to be perfect, try to gather your bangs to the front of your forehead.
3. Apply a curl cream and gel to your bangs, use your fingers to spread the cream and gel from roots to tip of your bangs.
4. Use a barrel brush to detangle your hair. Gently brush from the roots to the tip of your bangs. This will also help to spread out the curl cream and gel that is already on your hair.
5. Compress your curls lightly by grabbing the ends of your bangs with your entire hand and push back towards your forehead. Repeat this step 3-4 times.
6. Use your fingers as a styling tool to define your curls and situate your strands in the desired position.  To do this, grab a smaller section at the tip of your bangs and twirl it around your finger. Start from one side of your hair and work your way towards the other side. With each section, you would want to twirl in opposite directions. For example, if you are twirling your hair clockwise for your first section, you should twirl it counter-clockwise for the second section.
7. Fluff your curls by using a diffuser to dry your bangs. This will keep your curls intact.
8. To make the curls look more fully, separate any thick curls by grabbing one strand of curls and lifting it so it sits on top of another strand of curls.
9. If your bangs are too long, use 2 bobby pins to pin your bangs back at the roots. Use one pin on each side of your bangs.  This will help to make your bangs more fully and luminous.

How to Style Curly Hair Without Products

The simplest way to style curly hair without products is to use a shampoo and conditioner that is designed for curly hair then shape your hair with a ceramic blow dryer and paddle brush. Try sleeping on a satin pillowcase to help maintain your curls overnight.

Here’s What You Need To Do:

1. Wash your hair with a shampoo and conditioner that is designed for curly hair. This will provide your tresses with essential moisturizer and keep your scalp from drying out.
2. Once you wash your hair, section your hair and gently detangle.
3. Use a ceramic blow dryer to dry your hair and give it its desired shape.
4. Use a paddle brush to shape your curls. You can also use your hands or fingers to style your hair or create a part in your hair so your curls will lay correctly once your hair dries.

Extra Tip: To keep your curly hair looking its best, sleep on a satin pillowcase. This prevents split ends and keeps your tresses from becoming too dry. You can also purchase a satin cap to sleep in to protect your curls and retain their natural shine. These tips will keep you from having to use products in your hair for daily styling.

How to Style Curly Damaged Hair

The best way to style curly damaged hair is to use sulfate-free shampoo and condition your hair with a hair mask containing vitamins A and E. Rinse your hair with cold water, let air dry if possible, and use a barrel brush to shape your curly strands.

Here Are Some Tips on How To Style Curly Damaged Hair:

• Choose Sulfates-Free Shampoo – You should use a shampoo that is free of sulfates so you won’t strip your hair of necessary oils. Sulfates are sometimes listed as SLS, or sodium lauryl sulfate on the ingredient list of shampoos. They are responsible for the lather and is are very effective at removing dirt from your hair. However, they can also remove the natural oils and proteins from your hair, making your curls dull.
• Use a Hair Mask with Vitamin A, E, and Argan Oil –  Use a hair mask twice a week to restore your hair, keep your color from fading, and reduce split ends. Your hair mask should be filled with nutrients that are beneficial for your hair, like vitamins E and A. Vitamin A, a.k.a retinol, supports the secretion of sebum, which is a substance that prevents hair breakage. Vitamin E helps to support your scalp and reduces oxidative stress on your scalp which helps to reserve the protective lipid layer. Argan oil helps to lubricate the hair shaft and help your hair maintain moisture.
• Use Cold Water – When you rinse your hair, make sure you use cold water to lock in moisture and to keep your hair from getting frizzy. Coldwater closes the cuticles and pores in the scalp which helps to add luster and shine to your hair.
• Air Dry if Possible – When it comes to blow dryers, flat irons, and curling irons, you should use these as little as possible when you’re trying to restore the health of your curly hair. If you can, air-dry your hair and let your curls retain their natural shape without using heating tools to manipulate your strands.
• Try a Barrel Brush – If you have very curly hair, you shouldn’t use a normal bristle brush. A barrel or paddle brush is best for curly strands and helps to prevent breakage.