Curl Talk: Tips and Tricks to Keep Your Natural Kinks and Coils Poppin’

With great curls come great responsibility. Sure, we love the texture, volume, and body they offer, but in order for your curls to look flawless—no matter how tightly coiled or loose and loopy they are—you’re gonna need some high-quality products in your regimen. If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve got the tips and tricks you need to know to make your curls look their most gorgeous.

First, identify your curl pattern.

In the curl pattern lexicon, 1 means straight, 2 means wavy, 3 means curly and 4 means coily. Then you can specify even further—A is a wide pattern, like a loose wave; while C would be a tight wave, curl or coil. Check out your hair when it’s air-dried and figure out what your curl pattern is, and if you need help, that’s where we come in!

Find the right products.

Regardless of your curl or wave pattern, you should wash, condition and style with products that will enhance your texture. If you don’t like sudsy shampoos, try Oribe’s Cleansing Crème for Moisture and Control, which cleanses without stripping and leaves your hair feeling soft and silky. Our curly-haired clients love Bumble and bumble’s Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Shampoo and Conditioner and Aveda’s classic Be Curly line, too.

If you have waves.

Some waves may be calling out for volume and oomph, while others may be in desperate need of moisture. If you’re in the first camp, we like to add volume and texture to limp waves with a salt spray, like Bumble’s classic Surf Spray. If you have coarse waves that frizz like crazy come summer, prep with Oribe’s new Priming Lotion Leave-In Conditioning Detangler.

If you’re curly.

Bring back the ‘80s and invest in some mousse! It’ll keep your curls looking touchable and soft without feeling weighed down and sticky. We love Bumble and bumble’s Curl Conditioning Mousse, but if mousse isn’t your thing, their Curl Defining Crème is also excellent.

If you have coily hair.

Oribe’s new curl care line has a few amazing products for coily hair, namely the Styling Butter Curl Enhancing Crème. It’s rich in conditioning agents like shea butter and avocado oil to keep your hair hydrated. To shape, try Curl Gelee, and if you need a refresh on day two or three, Aveda’s new Rinseless Refresh and Oribe’s Mystify Restyling Spray help bring textured hair back to life.

If your hair gets extra frizzy.

No one likes frizz, especially not those of us with curls and waves. Prep your hair when the humidity is high with a styling gel like Bumble’s new Curl Anti-Humidity Gel-Oil or their Don’t Blow It Thick cream, which is ideal for air-drying.

If you’re feeling dry.

Once a week, make a date with a moisturizing masque. Bumble’s new Curl Butter Masque is made specifically to hydrate dry curls, as is Aveda’s Intensive Detangling Masque. Add hydration and shine when styling with Oribe’s Curl Gloss Hydration and Hold gel, which feels luxurious, not crunchy.

Need a crash course?

If you’d like a crash course in curls, ask your Cole’s stylist about styling techniques and products at your next appointment. We’d love to help you create a customized wave, curl or coil routine that makes you look and feel your best!