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Have you ever seen a curly hair routine on TikTok that made you question…everything? You’re not alone. For every texture from loose 2A waves to tight 4C coils, there’s a trending curly hair routine that promises unprecedented bounce, definition, and shine. And while every curl type deserves its own unique consideration, most routines employ the same basic formula. There’s plenty of great advice on CurlyTok, but if you expect a whole new head of hair the first time you try a new method, you might end up frustrated. That’s why we brought in the experts to break down the essential steps of any great curly hair routine—plus, insight on how to nail down yours.
Ahead, you’ll find…
Cleanse
“A well-rounded curly hair routine should always include a clarifying shampoo to remove product buildup,” celebrity hairstylist and curly hair specialist Mirna Jose tells Glamour. Alternatively, if you’re trying out the Curly Girl Method or prioritizing hydration, you can use a co-wash—a cleansing conditioner.
Condition and Detangle
After you’ve lathered up, you’ll want to lock in moisture and detangle your hair while it’s still wet. “I would use the Kristin Ess Ultra Hydrating Curl Repair Conditioner to hydrate and detangle, working your way from the ends to the roots,” says Sabrina Porsche, celebrity hairstylist on the Kristin Ess Hair Artistry Team.
Treat
Jose recommends that every curly hair routine incorporate a scalp serum “to promote balance and healthy growth.” To lock in moisture, she also recommends adding a hydrating hair mask for deep nourishment, or a leave-in conditioner straight out of the shower.
Dry
Most curly hair routines combine drying and styling as one step, with the products and techniques working together to maximize curl shape and definition as the hair dries. Instead of a regular towel, which causes friction against the hair which can lead to breakage and frizz, try a microfiber towel or even a T-shirt to remove excess water from your curls.
Jose says that using a diffuser can speed up dry-time and “help define curls and minimize frizz while drying.” But if you’d rather skip the heat, Porsche says you can also air-dry with a curl mousse, gel or curl cream (specific to your texture), and use hands-on techniques like scrunching to enhance your curls’ shape.
Lots of individual considerations, including curl type, hair thickness, and time commitment will help determine the products and techniques you adopt in your custom curl routine. But experts say that catering one factor—which isn’t quite so obvious—can make a big difference in your results.
Porosity
“The first thing you should consider is your hair porosity, which determines how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture,” Jose says. Not sure what your porosity level is? You can do a quick ‘strand test’ to tell, Ona Diaz-Santin, the CEO of 5 Salon Spa, says: Float a clean strand of hair in a glass of water; if it sinks to the bottom, you have high-porosity hair; if the strand floats at the top, you have low-porosity hair; if it floats somewhere in the middle, you have medium-porosity hair.
Now, back to tailoring your curly hair routine: “If you have low porosity hair, you would use a lightweight based product and not too much heat,” says Porsche. “If you have medium prosody hair, your hair will most likely work with most products. If you have high porosity hair, you need to use heavier, oils, or cream based products to help contain frizz and locks in that moisture.”
Rushing the process
The golden rule of the curly hair routine is that you need to be patient with your curls in both the short and the long term. For starters, “you want your curl to be completely dry before heading out the door, for not only frizz protection but also for extended curl formation throughout the day,” says Jocelyn Smith, stylist and senior director of education at Ouidad Salon.
Seven years ago, I made the decision to cut out heat tools and no longer straighten my curly hair. I did the well-known “big chop” and decided to start over in hopes of giving my hair the revival it needed after over a decade of straightening it religiously.
Admittedly, I wish I could go back in time and tell my younger self that straightening my hair on occasions was okay but protecting your curls from heat damage is important too. I would also tell her that she needs to swap out her straightener, stat. I have a very clear memory of using my neon-pink cheetah-print flat iron that I purchased from Justice and holding on to it for dear life until eventually swapping it out for a Conair one that lasted me all through high school.
The key lesson I learned over all those years? The quality of the tools you use is just as important as the products you put in your hair. Since then, I’ve also learned a lot about what to look for in a good hair straightener for curly hair. Below, I’ve put together a tailored list of the top hair straighteners I would recommend to any curly girl who wants to protect her strands but also wants to switch things up and wear different styles. Read on for all the details.
Dyson
Airstrait Wet-to-Dry Straightener in Ceramic Pink
My top pick may not be budget-friendly, but it is worth every penny. This Dyson flat iron was designed specifically with wavy, curly, and coily hair in mind. While you can wait for your hair to dry before using it, waiting is also an option. Unlike many others on the market, the Dyson Hyperdymium motor can dry hair as it straightens, cutting the time it takes to style in half. Additionally, the arms contain glass-bead thermistors that regulate temperature to reduce heat damage—a must for delicate curls.
Pro: Prevents heat damage
Con: Expensive, not many heat settings
Heat settings: 3
Customer review: “If you’re a lazy girl like me this is perfect. I normally have really thick curly long hair and shower at night so normally don’t have the energy to blow dry and straighten my hair. This honestly changed my life! It straightens and drys faster than I find my normal straightener and dryer. 10/10 recommend.”
CHI
1-Inch Titanium Flat Iron
Anyone with curly hair will tell you that managing frizz can be a real struggle. That’s why this option from Chi is such a popular pick. It has a built-in ion generator that reduces frizz and flyaways while boosting shine. The titanium plates also heat up evenly for safe styling that’s also effective. Not to mention, it has six heat settings to prevent damage.
Pro: Prevents heat damage
Con: Expensive
Heat settings: 6
Customer review: “This flat iron is amazing at straighten my hair! Silky smooth blowout hair just like a salon visit.”
So you want a hair tool that can do it all? I’m a big fan of two-in-one products and totally get the appeal. This pick from T3 is a major time-saver since it doubles as a curling tool. You can go pin straight or create waves and big curls.
Pro: Doubles as a curling iron, lightweight, adds shine
Con: Not the best for creating tight curls
Heat settings: 9
Customer review: “I’m officially in love with this T3 curling straightener! Not only does it look great on my vanity, but it works wonders on my hair. It smooths out my frizz and gives me the prettiest waves that don’t fall out. I couldn’t be happier with it!”
Kristin Ess
Flat Iron Hair Straightener and Curler
Some flat irons leave hair looking super sleek but also a bit flat. As much as I used to love a polished look, there were times when all I wanted was a little more volume. If that sounds like you, consider this buy from Kristin Ess. The titanium plates on this straighter can also curl hair, making it perfect for creating just the right amount of volume.
Pro: Adds volume
Con: Not the best for making defined curls
Heat settings: 4
Customer review: “I can do my hair in about 6 minutes with this guy and it lasts. Such a time saver. It looks nice too. I’ve since started buying more KE products because I like this item so much.”
Tymo
Ring Plus Ionic Hair Straightener Brush
Getting the results you want doesn’t always mean you have to break the bank. This straightener doubles as a brush with a keratin ceramic coating that allows the teeth to easily move through hair. The nine heat settings make it usable for a wide range of hair type and textures.
Pro: Detangles, adds shine to hair, budget-friendly
Con: Expensive
Heat settings: 9
Customer review: “My hair is very wavy, very frizzy, and very fine. This tool straightens my hair perfectly and much faster than a flat iron. It’s silkier and stays straighter in the humidity than with a flat iron.”
GHD
Platinum+ Styler 1-Inch Flat Iron in Black
If you don’t want to spend the price of my overall pick but still want to splurge a bit, you’ll appreciate this pick from GHD. As someone who’s witnessed the performance of this tool firsthand, I can tell you that this is a must for fighting frizz regardless of your hair type. It prevents color fading while adding shine and strength.
Pro: Reduces frizz, adds shine
Con: Expensive, only one heat setting
Heat settings: 1
Customer review: “I’m obsessed with this straightener! I have frizzy, curly hair, but after using it, my hair feels incredibly silky and smooth. Absolutely love it, definitely a must have!”
Drybar
Reserve Vibrating Flat Iron
If you’re someone who has curls that are prone to breakage like myself, you’ll appreciate the technology behind this straightener from Drybar. The heated plates on this tool vibrate to create the perfect tension for straightening without overpulling. It also has five heat settings, which cater to different hair types and textures. Meanwhile, Ionic Technology boosts shine and reduces frizz.
Pro: Prevents breakage, many heat settings, prevents damage
Con: On the bulkier side
Heat settings: 5
Customer review: “I absolutely loved this straightener! As a curly haired girl, I always wanted a straighter that could get me super slick hair with minimal time and heat. This straighter does just that. I recommend this to all my family and friends!”
Just because you’re traveling doesn’t mean you should have to compromise on style. Luckily, this travel-sized Chi tool can fit easily in your luggage or carry-on thanks to its small size. It has 1.5-inch floating plates that heat up to 410°F. The rapid ceramic heater speeds up the heating process, cutting down wait time.
Pro: Has color-lock protection
Con: Not many heat settings
Heat settings: 3
Customer review: “I love the tiny size with a larger surface area to straighten my hair. Perfect size for travel as well.”
Price is one of the biggest factors that come with purchasing anything beauty related, let alone hair tools. If you’ve already skimmed the list above, you likely know that many of the straighteners that deliver high quality aren’t exactly the cheapest. That said, you don’t have to spend a ton of money on a straightener that works for you. There are plenty of options on the market that are $100 or less, so if you’re on the fence about splurging and decide to do so, definitely look into all of the features that are available to make sure it’s worth your money.
Heat settings are also extremely important. Not only do they allow you to have more control over the straightener, but they can also prevent you from damaging your hair even more (depending on the state of your hair). For example, if you have very damaged hair, a straightener with many heat settings or a lower temperature range may be best. If you have thick or coarse hair, you’ll want a tool that can go higher in heat.
A few other factors you might want to consider include whether or not the straightener can be used for other styling purposes, the plate material and length, and the weight of the tool.
As with all of our buying guides at Who What Wear, we compile our edits based on original testing and expert recommendations. To find the best straighteners for curly hair, we leaned heavily on firsthand testing and our knowledge as beauty experts. We also considered several factors, including heat settings, materials, and customer reviews. We’re aware of how important these factors are for a wide range of needs and preferences, so we made sure to list out all the helpful details.
Since 2006, Who What Wear has been a digital fashion, beauty, and lifestyle publication and community where people can discover the latest brands, trends, and must-have products to help define and evolve their personal style. Think of Who What Wear as your most trusted style and shopping resource.
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Our reviewer says: “Lately, a wash-and-go has been my primary hairstyle, as my curls just won’t behave in a twist-out during the humid months,” says Glamour senior visuals editor Lauren Brown. “That’s where the Pattern Curl Gel has been a real game changer for me. It’s great for a quick curl refresh in the shower after a couple days. Like all the hair-care products on this line, the fragrance is intoxicatingly fresh, like cucumbers in cocktail.”
Courtesy of brand
Original photo from Malia Griggs testing Rizos Curls Light Hold Gel
This lightweight gel defines curls without stiffness, keeping them touchable and bouncy while reducing frizz. Formulated with aloe vera, flaxseed, and thyme, it locks in shape and shine without parabens, silicones, or sulfates. Our tester with 3A curls found that it enhanced definition on wash day and kept frizzy hair at bay through day two without flaking or weighing it down. The cast scrunched out easily, leaving curls soft and natural-looking.
Our reviewer says: “I like how light this gel is on my fine curls. Other gels I’ve tried make them feel stiff and look greasy, even after I scrunch out the cast, but with this, my curls are very soft and bouncy. It’s pretty fragrantly perfumed, which I don’t love, but not so badly that I won’t keep using it after my leave-in and foam, then followed by a diffuser,” says Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs.
Courtesy of brand
Original photo from Paton Hardy testing Bumble and Bumble Curl Anti-Humidity Gel-Oil
This hybrid gel-oil smooths frizz while giving curls hold and definition that lasts. The clear formula is lightweight but substantial enough to create a cast that scrunches out softly, leaving hair touchable instead of stiff. Our tester with 3C curls found that the product shaped spirals beautifully and resisted humidity, though it left some dryness by the end of the day.
Our tester says: “The gel defined my 3C curls really well and gave me a great look, though I did notice some dryness as the day went on,” says Glamour reviewer Páton Hardy. “The fragrance across the line was strong but pleasant—fruity, sweet, and similar to a perfume I’d wear—so it wasn’t off-putting. The shampoo lathered up quickly and felt very slippery, while the conditioner was thicker and hydrating. The gel itself was see-through and thin, easy to apply without running everywhere, and it dried down without leaving my hair crunchy.”
Courtesy of brand
Original photo from Sarah Holden testing Aveda Be Curly Advanced Coil Definer Gel
Formulated for tighter curl patterns, this gel gives coils long-lasting definition and frizz protection without leaving them stiff. Coily hair—characterized by densely packed curls that are prone to dryness—often needs gels that balance moisture with enough hold to keep styles in place. With wheat-derived amino acids to smooth and strengthen strands and mango butter to nourish and hydrate, this formula helps coils stay soft, defined, and resilient.
Tighter curl patterns take on a spiral or “Z” shape which can cause them to look shorter when your hair is dried versus when it’s wet or stretched (so the curl looks longer). While you can manipulate natural curls to “stretch” with braids or twists, products that help define and moisturize can also assist in this department. This formula is packed with moisturizing ingredients (like hyaluronic acid, marula oil, and kalahari melon) that help coily hair feel soft to the touch, even after it’s completely dried, which helps reduce shrinkage. While this will foam up, it still provides a gentle cleanse that won’t strip your hair of its moisture. Bonus? If you love a fruity, tropical fragrance, this one will make your bathroom smell like you just left a dreamy beach vacation.
Our review: I’ve recently added this to my regular shampoo lineup and I like that my curls don’t feel like wire once I rinse it out. Instead, I get instant slip and ultra-defined coils that drink up conditioner treatments and curl creams thereafter (I love following up with a rinse-out and a leave-in conditioner after using this). I’ve also used this on type-4 hair extensions and found that it got product residue off while keeping the curl pattern defined and frizz-free. —Aimee Simeon, Glamour contributor
Original photo from Francesca Simmons testing Olapex No. 4C Bond Maintenance Shampoo
Clarifying shampoo should be an essential once-a-week step in your routine. It combats chemical deposits (from the swimming pool, say), product buildup, an itchy scalp, and oily hair. This stylist-favorite Olaplex shampoo works to rebuild broken bonds most often seen on split, curly ends, says Paul Labrecque, creative director and master stylist and colorist for Paul Labrecque Salon and Skincare Spa. “It also has the Olaplex patented bond-building technology, so while you’re removing minerals, you are also building a stronger structure inside the hair,” says celebrity hair colorist Bianca Hillier.
Our review: Whenever a shampoo is ‘suitable for all hair types,’ I kind of give them a side-eye, but Olaplex’s bonding shampoo really does work wonders on my 4A curls. As all curly girls know, we need shampoos that address everything, including dryness, damage, split ends, breakage, and lack of shine—and this does exactly that. It lathers easily, I don’t have to use a ton to get that super-clean feeling, and it doesn’t strip my hair or leave my scalp tight. Overall, I’ve noticed less frizz, nearly no flyaways, and softer, shinier curls. —Francesca Simmons, Glamour reviewer
Original photo from Andrea Navarro testing Ouai Thick Hair Shampoo
“This shampoo will ruin all others for you,” says Allure’s Shipin, who has coarse, curly hair with medium-to-low porosity and reaches for Ouai for nourishment and frizz-taming. It’s an excellent choice for coarse curls and/or low-porosity hair (meaning, it has trouble absorbing moisture). The formula features hydrolyzed keratin, a protein that strengthens hair and improves its elasticity, as well as avocado and shea butter. The latter is a heavier hydrator that’s best suited for thick hair, which it won’t weigh down in the same way as fine hair, thought it will do a hell of a job moisturizing.
Our review: These days, there are so many great options for curls of all kinds, and I’ve found one that truly stands out for thick hair. This color-safe shampoo not only cleanses but also deeply moisturizes, strengthens, and fights frizz. It tackles dryness, color damage, split ends, and breakage—my hair feels stronger, looks shinier, and is less tangled. Marshmallow root helps soften and detangle, shea butter locks in moisture, and avocado oil prevents future breakage. And just like all Ouai products, this smells amazing, with the brand’s Mercer Street scent of Italian lemon, jasmine, and white musk. —Andrea Navarro, Glamour contributor
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Original photo from Aimee Simeon testing Redken Acidic Bonding Curls Silicone-Free Shampoo
Anyone with curls or coils who’s ever let them air-dry knows the frizz that often follows—which is why the best diffusers for curly hair are so helpful. Once you get the hang of how to properly use a diffuser, you’ll quickly learn that it’s—in the words of IGK Hair Care co-founder Aaron Grenia—“a curl’s best friend.” A hair diffuser is an attachment that sticks on to your blow dryer. Its vented design can help spread hot air more evenly than the standard open-ended nozzle of your dryer. Instead of blasting curls into frizz, it lets them set in place without disturbance, adding definition and shine along the way.
Of course, not all diffusers are one-size-fits-all. Some are universal attachments that you can attach to most blow dryers, while others are designed for specific models (like those for the viral Dyson Airwrap and Shark dryer brush). Their shapes and sizes vary, too—you’ll find wide bowls with long teeth that experts say work better on thick, coily hair. More compact, collapsible options are suitable for finer curl types (and travel, too). To help you find the best diffuser for your curls, Glamour contributors and editors tested a wide range of the hair styling tools, evaluating them for their ease of use, convenience, and how well they reduced frizz and enhanced our natural curl patterns. Below, find our favorites.
Original video from Clarice Henry-Tracht testing Rizos Curls Collapsible Hair Diffuser
This diffuser is a favorite for its portability and performance. Made with a soft, heat-resistant silicone bowl that collapses flat, it’s easy to stash in a gym bag or suitcase when on the go. Despite its compact build, it disperses air evenly to reduce frizz and enhance curl definition, while the flexible material stays comfortable in hand during use. Our tester noted that it created noticeably more volume and spring in her curls, and another appreciated that it could fit over her Dyson Airwrap.
Our tester says: “This diffuser did a good job of spreading air while drying my hair,” says Glamour contributor Clarice Henry-Tracht. “Because it’s collapsible, the body sometimes folded under the weight of my hair, but it still gave me more volume than I usually get when air-drying. My curls looked springier, which made me glad to have it in my routine.”
Original video from Desiree Gutierrez testing Shark FlexStyle Curl-Defining Diffuser Attachment
This diffuser pairs with the Shark FlexStyle blow-dryer brush system and stands out for how fast and customizable it is. Our tester, who usually avoids diffusing because it takes so long, was surprised when her curls dried in about 10 minutes. The attachment locks securely onto the dryer—a huge perk if you’ve ever had a diffuser pop off mid-use—and features extendable prongs that let you cup sections of hair and direct airflow exactly where you want it. With three heat settings plus a cool shot, you can tweak the process to suit your texture. The diffuser itself is compact, about the size of a hand, though the overall setup is a little bulky.
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