The shape, the way it moves, how it reflects color — the beauty of curly hair lies in its individuality. This is why a personalized approach is best when coloring, cutting, and styling curly hair types. While each method will change slightly from one person to the next, there are overarching techniques in each category that help create a finished look. Curious about the best cut, color, and style techniques for curly hair? We’ve got you covered. Plus, learn more about the latest release from Wella Professionals – ULTIMATE REPAIR – that can be used to care for all hair types and textures from medium, fine, and thick to straight, wavy, curly, and coily!
The Top Ways to Enhance Color
Adding color to curly hair is an excellent way to enhance movement. It can highlight curls and bends and create dimension within any pattern. When coloring curly textures, extra care should be taken to look after the integrity of the hair. Using formulas with bond-building technology such as Wella Professionals BlondorPlex is ideal. When lightening, Wella Professionals BlondorPlex lifts up to 9 levels with up to 97% less breakage*. No matter what lifting technique you are using, this formula can be used on and off-scalp or on pre-colored hair, and with anti-yellow molecules to help reduce orange/yellow undertones during the process, you’ll be left with hair that is ready to gloss. *Wella Professionals BlondorPlex should always be followed with Wella Professionals WellaPlex No. 2 to stabilize bonds and complete the BlondorPlex service.
The number one way to instantly set your curls apart? Add shine! Whether adding clear or any mixture of its 37 shades, Wella Professional Shinefinity guarantees up to 250% shinier hair** and contains pH-balanced technology with zero lift, zero damage true-to-tone results. This glaze service is ideal for all hair types and offers a translucent demi-permanent color that creates a shine you can feel.
Care & Styling Techniques
Dry, damaged or over-processed hair can quickly make curls fall flat. To refresh strands from the inside out, start by switching up your wash and care routine. Wella Professional’s ULTIMATE REPAIR range can be used on all hair types and textures to remove impurities that cause damage and rebuild the hair to reveal more defined texture.
Start with Wella Professionals ULTIMATE REPAIR Shampoo with Metal Purifier technology to help remove metals, product build-up, oils, dirt and pollution. This formula not only rebuilds the hair from the inside out but also prepares the hair for any treatments to follow. After shampooing, follow with Wella Professionals ULTIMATE REPAIR Conditioner for a deeply nourishing experience that leaves hair looking healthier and shinier.*** Once hair is cleansed, apply Wella Professionals ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue that uses the power of Alpha Hydroxy Acid and Omega 9 for visibly transformed hair in just 90 seconds***** inside and out in just one use. Enjoy 99% less breakage****, 12x smoother hair***, and unbeatable shine that lasts up to four washes****.
Wella Professionals ULTIMATE REPAIR Shampoo ($35.00), Wella Professionals ULTIMATE REPAIR Conditioner ($35.00), Wella Professionals ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue ($95.00).
After prepping the hair with Wella Professionals ULTIMATE REPAIR choose a curl-specific styler based on your texture pattern and needs like Wella Professionals Curlixir Balm Defining Balm for Curls. This combination will allow for curl, hold and bounce while promoting healthy hair.
Wella Professionals Curlixir Balm Defining Balm for Curls ($25.00).
Cutting Tips
The biggest debate when it comes to cutting curls is whether to cut them wet or dry. The truth is — it depends on the client. Dry cutting has long been a favored method because of its ability to shape the final look. However, as most curly-haired clients know — your hair almost never dries the same. Cutting hair wet isn’t always the best method either because as your hair dries, it can take on a completely different shape. For this reason, using a mix of methods, starting out on damp hair and perfecting when dry is the current standard. This allows you to create a solid foundation and perfect it from there. Alongside this, curls are best cut with medium tension, uneven layers and advanced texturizing techniques.
To enhance any haircut, applying a leave-in conditioning product like Wella Professionals ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue is ideal. Not only will hair be transformed in one use with 99% less breakage***, 12x smoother*** results, and legendary shine that lasts up to four washes****, this leave-in treatment boosts hair and detangles, allowing you to comb through curls with ease.
Wella Professionals ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue ($95.00).
*When using Wellaplex N°2 with Blondorplex, versus Blondorplex alone.
**versus untreated bleached hair.
***vs. non-conditioning shampoo.
****Instrumental test versus non-conditioning shampoo When using Ultimate Repair Shampoo, Conditioner, and Miracle Hair Rescue.
***** When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Step 3.
Get to know Wella Professionals Shinefinity
Wella Professionals Shinefinity is a glossing treatment that improves tone while creating a shine you can feel. In addition to creating unbeatable shine and beautiful true-to-tone results, you can look forward to the following with Shinefinity:
- 37 Demi-Permanent Shades that are intermixable for endless color options
- Offers up to 250% shinier hair*
- Up to 50% smoother hair**
- Up to 50% softer hair**
- Tones that last up to 6 weeks
- Innovative formula regulates the pH of the hair to ensure it doesn’t fall below 6.5 for balanced, optimal color results.
- Can be used on natural hair color, after lightening, or in addition to grey coverage services.
- Pick from 2 developers: Bowl and Brush Activator or Bottle Activator
- Pick from Cool, Warm, Naturals, or Booster color palettes or the just-launched Signature Naturals collection featuring 5 shades ideal for counteracting warmth or creating root shadows.
- Use Shinefinity to create shine, refresh color and highlights, add tone, enhance dimension, or correct color.
- 1 Shinefinity tube sold every 10 seconds in the world.
*versus untreated bleached hair
**Instrumental testing vs. our regular demi