Curls Will Be Curls
Published July 28, 2024 | 
The good news for the curly-hair set: After seasons of stick-straight hair, ringlets, spirals, and waves are back. The bad news: “Curly hair can be sexy and free-spirited, but it’s not always easy to manage,” says Jim Wilson of the Some Like It Hot salon in Miami Beach. Here, Wilson shares his secrets for keeping your curls from frizzing, flopping, and falling apart.GET A HEAD START
A quality haircut can be the difference between drab and fab. If they’re not cut right, curls can weigh the hair down, leaving limp locks on top with tight ringlets underneath. Find a stylist who works with curly hair often, and consider a layered cut, which will give your twirly tresses a solid foundation.
KEEP IT MOIST
Curly hair is by nature dry, so use a gentle shampoo and a deep conditioner, like Moisture Maniac from TIGI’s Bed Head line.
ESTABLISH A HANDS-OFF POLICY
Be very gentle when dealing with curly hair — too much friction from drying, brushing, or styling causes curls to separate. When you’re done shampooing, run a wide-tooth comb through your hair, then wrap locks in a towel to eliminate excess water. If you use gel or a specially formulated product like Clinique’s Defined Curls Curl Enhancer, rub it in your palms; an amount the size of a grape will do. Hang your head upside down and dab the product through your hair, starting at the ends, rather than dragging it through. (For finer hair, use mousse.) Most important, once you see your curl pattern start to form, do not touch your hair until it’s dry. If you prefer blow-drying, use a diffuser attachment.
MAKE IT FRIZZ FREE
For the finishing touch, use any styling aid that says it fights frizz on the front label. That means that it contains silicone, which, much like the top coat on a manicure, seals out moisture and thus keeps your curls in tip-top shape.