Kristina is the founder of Lockenbox & Lockenexpertin. She has been intensively involved with the topic of curly hair care since her youth, when her straight hair suddenly turned into curls.
A full and healthy mane of curls is a real eye-catcher.
It takes a lot of knowledge, attention and care to define curls and show them off perfectly. Refreshing and strengthening natural curls or enhancing natural waves - this is best achieved with high-quality curl products.
Home remedies offer another way to do something good for your curls, but you should use them with caution, as the wrong or incorrectly applied remedies can have the opposite effect .
We'll give you some tips and tricks on how to care for curls and show you how to define curls and make them bounce beautifully without them sticking together.
Our 5 tips for defined curls
Some tricks for more beautiful curls are not magic, but very easy to implement. You just have to know them and know how to use them, then nothing stands in the way of optimizing your curls.
1. Do not brush your hair when it is dry
It is not a good idea to brush or comb curly and wavy hair when it is dry because it is a stressful procedure for delicate curly hair.
Pulling and repeatedly stroking with a brush or comb can damage the entire hair structure if the hair is very dry and, in the worst case, the hair will become brittle and split.
To avoid hair breakage , detangling your hair while it's wet using a curl conditioner is a much gentler option. A conditioner gives the curls extra slip - it increases the slipperiness of the hair - which makes it much easier to get tangles out of your hair.
The more gently you detangle your hair , the better it is for your naturally sensitive curls. If your curls are dry, you should just shape them a little with your fingers or a hair pick - like our Rainbow Curls Afro Pick .
2. The right haircut
Curls look impressive at any hair length. If you choose longer hair , a layered cut for your curls is recommended . It is important to emphasize and support the natural shape of the curls, rather than cutting against the natural curve of the curls.
A layered cut has the advantage that it balances the volume of the hair and allows the curls to fall into shape more beautifully. The right haircut always depends on your own hair texture and type.
A good and experienced hairdresser can advise you on this. In any case, with the right curly haircut, the curls will stand out even better and can be presented even more beautifully. In our guide " Your Curly Hairdresser Guide " we have listed hairdressers who are very knowledgeable about curls.
3. The right technique for blow-drying
If used incorrectly, the hairdryer can become the enemy of curly hair . However, if you follow a few tips, you don't have to do without the hairdryer altogether and you can dry your curls gently with a hairdryer .
Before you tackle your curls with the hairdryer, you should prepare your hair for the heat . For heat protection,
- some leave in conditioner ,
- a natural heat protection spray
- or a curl gel with appropriate protective properties.
It's basically about protecting the sensitive hair structure from the high temperatures of the hair dryer. There are even special conditioners with heat protection available these days.
If possible, use a diffuser attachment for the hairdryer; this is perfect for drying curly hair. A lukewarm temperature setting on the hairdryer is best, as this way the hair is not stressed by excessive temperatures and the curls are still defined.
The diffuser allows the air flow from the hairdryer to reach all sections of the hair evenly. Very good definition and beautiful, bouncy curls can be achieved by drying the hair upside down with the diffuser.
Expert tip: Try not to run your fingers through your hair while blow-drying, as this will destroy the curls. For beautifully defined curls, it helps to either just let the air from the hairdryer do its thing or simply gently press the hair upwards from the ends with the palms of your hands while blow-drying and carefully knead it.
4. Refresh curls
With special care products - a leave-in treatment for curls or a curl gel - curls that have "sagged" slightly can be refreshed in no time. Curls that have been flattened or otherwise lost their shape can also be revived with a curl refresh spray .
Refreshing your curls also helps to combat frizz. Experience has shown that leave-ins and curl gels work best on damp or even wet hair.
- To do this, moisten your hair with a spray bottle and
- then work the appropriate product into the curls.
- Most of the time, the creams or gels are gently kneaded into the hair to bring the curls back to life and give them an extra boost of moisture.
Expert tip: For those in a hurry, there are also special sprays for curls that can be sprayed directly into dry hair.
5. Twist your curls for a defined look with finger coiling
Curls can be refreshed by gently kneading your hair from bottom to top. Be careful not to break up the curls too much with your fingers, but rather work with the palms of your hands. This will keep the curls in shape.
You can also wrap individual strands around your fingers using the finger coiling method and then work in a styling product.
- With the finger coiling method, you divide your hair into several sections, which you then twist up to the hair roots.
- To do this, twist the strands of hair over your fingers and do this until they curl nicely when you let them go.
- Repeat this with all the strands. The procedure requires a bit of time and practice, especially if you have thick or very long hair.
As a reward, your hair will be much less prone to frizz and the defined curls will usually last a long time.
If finger coiling isn't enough for you , there are many other ways to make your hair shine with the help of our curl accessories and styling tools . Click here: High-quality curl accessories for curly girls .
Which products can you use to define curls?
There are now a variety of good, high-quality and effective products for optimally defining curls . As is so often the case, it all depends on the right care and, above all, the right care for curls.
1. Curl shampoo
To ensure your hair can curl optimally and form into pretty ringlets or waves, it should be as free of build-up as possible. Styling residues and deposits act as a barrier that prevents further care or styling products from penetrating or taking effect.
That's why using a cleansing curly hair shampoo is an essential step in the curly hair care routine . Curly hair shampoos are specially formulated for the needs of curly hair.
Because curls do not lie as tightly to the head due to the natural curvature of the hair and therefore stick out further than straight hair, they cannot be supplied as well with the scalp's natural oil, sebum. As a result, curls dry out much faster than straight hair and are much more likely to become brittle.
Curl shampoos therefore contain additional moisturizing ingredients such as aloe vera or shea butter to provide thirsty curls with sufficient moisture. Uncontrolled frizz can also be minimized with a suitable shampoo for curls .
In addition to the cleansing properties, curly hair shampoo will always contain moisturizing ingredients. In addition, the formulas of curly hair shampoos often contain nourishing ingredients, vitamins and, if necessary, proteins.
You can find our favorite curly shampoos for all types of curls in our Lockenbox Shop . Have you found your favorites yet?
2. Styling cream and leave-in
When it comes to definition and moisturizing, styling curl creams and leave-in conditioners are real all-rounders . They remain in the hair and keep the curls frizz-free and defined for a long period of time.
- To do this, simply work the styling cream or leave-in into the lengths of damp hair after your washing routine . You should pay particular attention to the ends of your hair , which require a lot of care.
- You can then style your curls as usual.
The nourishing ingredients provide a lot of moisture, which helps to maintain the natural texture of the curls and the curl bundles. This means your curls stay protected all day long and look nourished and shiny.
Many styling creams and leave-ins are also formulated to make the hair more resistant to harmful environmental influences . This is why many of these products are also suitable as heat and UV protection . As you can see, styling creams and leave-ins for natural curls are unbeatable when it comes to comprehensive care and styling effects.
Have you discovered your favorites yet? Whether you prefer something fruity or refreshing, our selection of high-quality leave-in conditioners has something for every curl type and every taste.
3. Styling Gel
Styling gel or curl gel is a wonderful curl tamer and helps you control your curls. Thanks to the gel texture and the valuable ingredients, it locks in moisture and nutrients and at the same time fixes the curls .
Styling gel for curls contains polymers that wrap around the hair strands like a film. This way, the gel provides your curls with maximum hold and fixation .
This protective film dries to form what is known as a “gelcast,” which makes your curls look as if they were frozen. This gives your curls maximum definition.
The gel cast is simply kneaded out after the hair has dried . This reveals the full potential of your curls and leaves your hair soft and silky. Styling gel is therefore also an excellent choice when it comes to combating frizz .
Have you already found out which curl gel works best for your mane? We love all of our hand-selected curl gels in the Lockenbox Shop .
4. Hair masks
Hair masks and hair treatments are an extra pampering program for your curls , which you can integrate into your curl care routine once a week, for example, as needed.
These products for curls are also known as Deep Conditioner and contain a wealth of intensively nourishing ingredients that
- strengthen the hair
- and it effectively protects against dryness
- and other hair damage.
The hair is deeply nourished and remains resilient and supple . There are also hair masks for curls with a high protein content . These are particularly good for brittle and porous hair and combat split ends. Most hair treatments are applied to wet hair after washing and are then rinsed out thoroughly after a few minutes.
Another little reading tip on the subject of porous hair: Find out everything about hair porosity in this article.
A hair mask can help to permanently improve the health of your curls . These deep-acting care products are available for a wide range of hair needs. If you're curious, take a look at our Deep Conditioner range.
Discover the exciting world of curly hair care now! Experience the surprise that awaits you when you click on the button. We present you 4-5 first-class curly hair care products & unique accessories from our shop, month after month.The best part? The value of this box far exceeds the price you would pay for the individual products. What are you waiting for? Click on the curl box now and immerse yourself in a world full of curl care!
Conclusion
With the right curl care and a few little know-how tricks, you can define your curls perfectly and bring out bouncy curls. Curls may need a little more care than straight hair and need a lot of love and attention - but when they are optimally cared for and presented in the best possible light, they promise a spectacular look!
Would you like to read more about washing and caring for curls ? Then click here.
FAQ on defining curls
How do I define my curls without heat?
It is possible to define curls without heat.
- Start by washing your hair with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner.
- Then apply a curling cream or curl conditioner and gently comb your hair with a wide-toothed comb to loosen knots and reduce frizz.
- Divide your hair into sections and twist each section around your fingers or a curler to define your curls.
- Allow your hair to dry completely before removing the curlers or your fingers.
How often should I define my curls?
It depends on how often you wash and style your hair. In general, you should only define your curls when you wash your hair, as frequent defining can dry out and damage your curls. However, avoid defining your curls daily, as this can damage your hair.
