From the way curly hair is cut, to how it’s colored and the steps you take to style it — this texture pattern deserves as unique a method as your curls! Often taking on a less uniform approach and one that’s tailored to your exact curl type, these are the ideal ways to utilize hair techniques and products to enhance your curls.
The Top Tips for Coloring Curly Hair
Curly hair tends to be on the dry side, which is why care and upkeep will be just as important as your color. In terms of methods, these color techniques are the ideal way to enhance curly texture patterns.
- Balayage: A free-hand painted technique, balayage has the ability to add dimension and depth to your curly hair. The benefits of balayage usually include a less damaging approach to lightening as well as no line of demarcation — meaning it looks natural as it grows out. Whether utilizing balayage or traditional highlights, curly hair (all hair really) performs best when its coupled with a Shades EQ gloss. Apply to create the perfect tone and then as a touch-up between lifting appointments to refresh your tone, enhance condition and give unbeatable shine. During the summer months, there are endless ways to pair blonding with your curls for an enhanced finish. Need a bit of inspiration? Take a peek at out The Shades EQ 1001 Blondes Challenge on Instagram @RedkenPro, where you’ll see 1001 blonde formulas posted on the feed to give you all the inspiration and formulas you need.
- Highlights + Lowlights: Due to the fact that curly hair has a much more 3D element to it, the process of adding highlights should usually be coupled with lowlights as well. This ensures a more multi-dimensional look, which makes curls appear more voluminous and defined.
- Global Color: An all-over rich, single-process color can work wonders to enhance the natural vibrancy of curly hair. From gray coverage or blending to simply enhancing tone and leaving it with unbeatable shine, choose from Redken Color Gels Oils for a vibrant permanent option or Redken Shades EQ Bonder Inside for an all-over enhancement of shine.
When it comes to care, Redken Acidic Bonding Curl is a must-have, especially when coloring your hair. Choose from a shampoo, conditioner and leave-in treatment designed to create stronger bonds* for inner curl strength that hydrate and improve curl elasticity without the weight. The results? 92% of the users saw healthier + more defined curls in 1 just use**. And, when utilising the entire system, Acidic Bonding Curls reduces frizz by 85% for up to 96 hours* and hair is also 91% easier to detangle***. Plus, you can give your curls heat protection up to 450°F / 230°C with the use of Acidic Bonding Curls Leave-In Treatment.
Acidic Bonding Curls Shampoo, Conditioner & Leave-In Treatment.
Our Favorite Cutting Tips for Curly Textured Hair
For many curly clients, their hair looks and falls much differently when it is wet vs. dry. For this reason, many benefit from having they hair cut or trimmed when dry or with a hybrid wet and dry combination.
- Try Dry Cutting: When you decide to cut curly hair when dry, instead of wet, you can really see how natural curls fall and exactly how much weight you are removing, giving you a much more accurate and consistent finish. Ideal for curlier hair types, this also works well for clients that predominately wear their hair in it’s natural state.
- Consider a Foundation Cut followed by Dry Detailing: While dry cutting is preferable to some, others benefit with a foundational cut created on wet hair followed by shaping done on a dry, finished style. This is usually ideal for wavy to easy curl types, or those who will wear their hair both smooth and curly.
- Layer With Purpose: Layers reduce bulk and add movement to curly hair. For best results, the type of layers should be determined based on your individual curl pattern and texture. Taking all the details into account can help prevent the “triangle” effect (where hair looks wider at the bottom).
- The Individual Curl Cut: Depending on your curl type, another great way to cut curly hair is by cutting individual curls to create an overall shape that enhances your curl pattern as well as your silhouette.
Once the hair cut is established, finding the right way to style that hair and the products to do so is key.
Styling Techniques for Curly Hair
- Diffusing: For days when you’re not air drying or you need a little extra definition and volume, a diffuser attachment on your blow dryer is a great way to dry curls gently without disturbing their natural pattern. This can also help reduce frizz and maintain curl definition. Based on your hair type, apply Hydrating Curl Cream or Sculpting Curl Gel on damp hair and then dry.
- Plopping: This is a method of drying where wet hair is flipped into a cotton T-shirt or microfiber towel and wrapped up to dry. While it doesn’t work for all hair types, this can help enhance curls and reduce frizz. Prep hair with either Hydrating Curl Cream or Sculpting Curl Gel for best results.
- Scrunching: Best done on moderately damp hair, once out of the shower, scrunch your curls with a gel or mousse to define and hold the curl pattern. Start from the ends and work your way up to avoid disrupting the curl formation. Sculpting Curl Gel is an ideal match here if you want to enhance your texture pattern.
- Twist Outs and Braid Outs: Twisting or braiding damp hair and letting it air dry can create defined, frizz-free curls. This technique works well for adding definition and length to curls.
- Finger Coiling: This can be done by manipulating the hair with a fine-toothed comb and your fingers, or simply your fingers. If you want even, consistent coils, comb through defined sections and twirl small sections of hair around your finger to create defined, uniform curls. This can also be used on individual curls to add a bit more definition or enhancement where they may have fallen flat or become disturbed. While we love either Hydrating Curl Cream or Sculpting Curl Gel, based on your texture, the Refreshing Curl Mist is the best way to refresh your curl as it begins to dry or on second-day hair that needs a pick-me-up.
Hydrating Curl Cream
- Up To 72-Hour Curl Definition and Hydration
- 81% Frizz Reduction** |**Vs non-conditioning shampoo
- Heat Protection up to 450°F/230°C
- Bottle made with 95% recycled plastic*** | ***Excluding pump and cap
Sculpting Curl Gel
- Up To 72-Hour Strong Hold
- Non-Sticky, Non-Flaking, Non-Crunch
- 76% Frizz Reduction*| *Vs non-conditioning shampoo
Refreshing Curl Mist
- Reactivates Up To 7th Day Curls Without Washing
- Hydrates & Defines up to 7th-Day Curls
- 76% Frizz Reduction*| *Vs non-conditioning shampoo
- Bottle made with 100% recycled plastic*** | ***Excluding pump and cap
