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…
Which steps should be part of every curly hair routine?
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.
Which factors should you consider when crafting your curly hair routine?
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.”
What are some common curly hair routine mistakes?
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.
