Hello my curly girls! Have you ever wondered, “How can I make my hair more curly?” If you’ve just started your curly hair journey, you’re going to love the process! But maybe your curls have stalled. Maybe they look limp and lifeless, and you just can’t figure out what you did wrong. In this post, I’ve rounded up some of the best tips on how to make your hair curlier.

Here are 8 tips on how to make your hair curlier.

1. Layer your products correctly.

If you’re new to the Curly Girl Method, you may be confused about how to apply products. Should you apply gel, mousse, or curl enhancer first? When should you apply leave-in conditioners and cremes? And what products make your hair curlier?

You can follow this simple order to make sure you’re applying products correctly.

1. Leave-in conditioner
2. Curl enhancers (cremes, mousse, etc.)
3. Gel, jelly, or custard

Because gel will “lock” all your products in, you want to apply it last. If you apply gel before a creme or conditioner, the second product won’t be able to moisturize your hair. Gel always comes last.

Another variation on this theme is: Leave-in, Mousse, and Gel. You can read all about it on the Curly Cailin blog.

2. Use styling products with a strong hold.

If you’re looking for loose, romantic waves, you can use a light hold gel such as Curly Hair Solutions Curl Keeper Original Gel. This will give you softer curls and waves.

BUT, if you want tighter curls, choose a strong hold gel. I personally love the Jessicurl Spiralicious Gel and the Aussie Instant Freeze Gel. They provide crisp definition and strong hold. And they keep my curls looking good even on day 2 and 3!

3. Clarify your hair regularly.

If you have low porosity hair, swim in a chlorinated pool, or have hard water in your home, you should clarify on a regular basis. Clarifying will remove any excess sebum, dirt, and products from your scalp and hair. If you are struggling with limp, lifeless curls, you probably need to clarify your hair.

Right now, I use the Live Clean Argan Oil Restorative Shampoo on my hair. I rotate it with other shampoos on a weekly basis. It contains a mild sulfate that cleanses any buildup, and it’s affordable, too. You can purchase it here. 

Another good clarifying shampoo is the Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo.

4. Get a trim.

If you want your hair to be curlier, make sure you get a trim every 4-6 weeks. This will remove any damaged ends, which make curls looser and less defined. When you get layers, this will allow your hair to be more bouncy and full. And cutting the curls a little shorter will reduce their weight. This allows curls to look springier and more defined. 

“What if I don’t have a curly hairstylist?”

I don’t live near a curly hairstylist, so I just go to a regular hairdresser. First, I always wash and condition my hair. But I don’t apply styling products because my hairdresser always brushes out my hair. Then, I ask for lots of layers, and just an inch or two off the bottom. Because of all the brushing, I can’t really tell what it looks like until my next washday. But I’m usually happy with how it turns out!

5. Deep condition regularly.

To keep your curls hydrated and happy, I recommend a deep conditioning session every week or two. When I deep condition my curls, they are bouncy, shiny, and soft. In the colder winter months, they are especially helpful. When my curls are looking limp and loose, deep conditioning helps replenish their natural moisture. 

Although you can find lots of DIY deep conditioner recipes only, I love this simple deep conditioner recipe from Verna @themestizamuse. She shared it on her Instagram page. You simply need:

• 1/2 cup oil or conditioner (I used my regular Tresemme Coconut conditioner)
• 1/4 cup honey
• Microwaveable bowl

First, put the oil/conditioner and honey into the bowl, and microwave it for 10-second intervals until it is too hot to touch comfortably. Allow it to sit for a minute or two. Then apply it to your hair, and follow the deep conditioning instructions above.

You can read more about deep conditioning in this post and read my review of the Jessicurl Deep Conditioning Treatment. 

6. Diffuse your hair to make hair curlier.

If you want to know how to make wavy hair curlier, learn how to diffuse your hair. I always have more defined curls when I diffuse my hair. 

For best results, don’t start with dripping wet hair. Allow your hair to air-dry to about 50% dry. 

Next, use a diffuser attachment on a regular blow-dryer to gently diffuse your hair. Tilt your head from side to side for more volume. Use either low heat or no heat to avoid any damage to your curls.

Read my full post on diffusing (+ best diffuser attachments) here.

7. Don’t brush your hair.

If you’re asking, “How can I make my hair more curly?” this tip is very important. Brushing your hair breaks up the curl clumps. It can also disrupt the natural volume and texture of your hair. And it causes static and frizz! 

If you’re curious, I wrote a whole post about why curly girls never brush their hair. You can read it here.

8. Use black castor oil.

One of my favourite curly girl products ever is black castor oil. I started using it as a pre-shampoo treatment to help with flaky scalp, and it certainly helped resolve that issue. I just massage a healthy dose into my scalp and let it sit for 20 minutes before washing my hair. 

But my favourite benefit of black castor oil is that it makes my hair curlier! It provides natural hydration without any weird ingredients. Some curly girls use it for hair growth, as well.

I use the Jamaican Mango & Lime brand of black castor oil and love it. You can get it on Amazon here.

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Are you looking for how to make your hair curlier? If so, which of these tips are you going to try first? Curly girls, what would you add to my list? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

love,

p.s. Some of the items in this post are affiliate links. I only post about products that I love + think you’ll probably love, too! As an Amazon Associate or affiliate for other programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. When you purchase through my link, I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. Thank you SO much for your support!