Curly & Wavy Hair Care

curly dyed hair - dyed curly hair no damage

How To Dye Curly Hair At Home Without Damaging It – Easy Steps & Tips

How To Dye Curly Hair At Home Without Damaging It – Easy Steps & Tips

How To Dye Curly Hair At Home Without Damaging It

If you’re like me, then you love changing up your hair color every now and then. But learning how to dye curly hair at home without ruining my curl pattern always seemed like a daunting task – I used to think that it was impossible to dye my curls without damaging them – until I found these tips!

After doing some research and trying out a few different methods, I learned how to dye curly hair at home without any damage! In this article, I’ll share with you my tips, advice, and tricks for dyeing curly hair at home and how to take care of it after you’ve colored it.

If you’d like to get answers to some other top questions before dyeing your curly hair, check this post.

Disclaimer: I am not a professional hairstylist and these are all tips and opinions are based on my personal experience as a curly girl.

Affiliate Disclosure: “This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link.”

dyed curly hair - How To Dye Curly Hair At Home Without Damaging It

7 Steps To Dye Curly Hair At Home

  1. Use color protectant to prep curls
  2. Separate hair into sections
  3. Use petroleum jelly on hairline
  4. Apply temporary, semi or demi permanent hair dye
  5. Follow the product’s directions for time
  6. Rinse thoroughly and deep condition
  7. Take care of your colored curly hair

The key to having beautiful, healthy-looking colored locks is all in the technique and after care. It doesn’t matter if you want sun kissed hair, highlights or blonde hair.

The key is using products tailored especially towards those who have waves, curls and coils in their tresses so no matter which route you go down this will be an easy process as long as you follow best practices.

Start by understanding which type of dye works best based on texture and do a strand test to rule out any allergic reactions before moving onto the seven steps above.

How To Dye Curly Hair At Home Without Damaging It

Items Curly Girls Need to Color or Highlight at home:

things you need to dye curly hair at home

Here are the tools you need to get started with coloring your hair. You’ll want your preferred hair dye, a couple of different bowls and squirt bottles, as well as gloves for protection against stains!

You’ll also want some hair clips, tail comb, detangling hair brush, dye brushes, bowls, squirt bottles, towels and foil.

How to Dye Curly hair Safely At Home

1. How To prepare Curly Hair For Dying

  • Use a color protectant product before applying dye
  • After the recommended time, rinse out
  • Cleanse your curls
  • Air dry before applying color

Cleansing your hair is extremely important as you want to ensure you apply your highlights to clean hair. This gives the product the best opportunity to dye your hair properly.

Some say to apply the product to unwashed hair but the feedback I’ve gotten from most curly girls is that they get more vibrant results from applying on washed hair.

  • If you’re dyeing the roots of your hair – apply some leave-in conditioner to the ends of your curls where you won’t be applying any hair color.

2. Section curly hair for application

After air drying, move on to sectioning your curls to apply the hair color.

Sectioning your curls or waves before applying your hair color depends on what you’re doing:Dyeing all of your hair – separate and loosely braid them without any product so that they stay tangle-free as your hair dries.

Then separate your hair into four sections and secure each section with a clamp.

3. Apply petroleum jelly to hairline

Next, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly on your hairline to protect it from the hair dye.

Once you’re finished with the dye application, you can wipe away the petroleum jelly along with any residual product.

dye curly hair at home

4. Apply your dye of choice

The safest dyes to use for curls are temporary, semi or demi-permanent.

These dyes can be used for the perfect pop of color. They work well on most hair types and won’t damage or strip away natural oils like harsh chemicals might do – this means they’re good options when trying out new shades.

Regardless of the product you choose, it’s a really good idea to do a strand test before you begin. This will ensure that it works well on your hair and that you like the shade that you’ve chosen.

Now, let’s take a brief look at the different ways you can dye your curls.

How to Dye your Light or Dark hair with out hair dye?

Use temporary color like, Make up for hair. If you’d like to have a very temporary color change, try Curl Smith’s hair makeup for hair line. This is an awesome line to temporarily dye hair – it’s makeup for hair.

The color will only last until your next wash day, so it’s a fun, damage free way to add a little color for a short time. Temporary color will sit on your strands and wash out the next time you wash your hair.

The great news is that it isn’t damaging to your curls at all.

There are 5 Curlsmith Hair Make Up colors to choose from:

The coolest part is that these colors are also gels. This means that you can get a long-lasting wash day result, with color!

To apply Curl Smith’s Hair Make up:

  • Wash and style your as usual.
  • Then, section your hair and apply the gel with the praying hands’ technique.
  • Rub the product in the palm of your hands.
  • If it’s too thick, add a little water in your hand to make it easier to apply. This product can be quick-drying, so move quickly.
  • Place your palms over a section of your hair and glide from top to bottom over your curls.
  • After you’ve completed all sections, scrunch and leave to air dry or diffuse.

Semi Permanent Dye

The semi-permanent color wash out eventually, usually after 4 – 6 weeks but you can keep your curl pattern with little to no damage. These product sit on the cuticle of your strands, lessening exposure to anything that may cause damage. There are no harsh chemicals like ammonia and peroxide in this product which makes it safe for preserving natural hair textures. That means your curl pattern won’t change.

It also fades away naturally over time so you don’t need to retouch if you don’t want to.

It’s also very easy to apply and inexpensive.

apply temporary, semi or demi permanent dye to your curly hair

Demi Permanent Dye

Demi permanent color sits on the cuticle of your strands as well as a small amount gets into the hair’s cortex. Similar to semi-permanent, demi-permanent products are ammonia-free which will help to reduce damage to your hair.

It is a good option for a subtle change to a darker shade as it deposits only. So, it’s not ideal to lighten your hair.

These dyes work well for curly girls who want to darken up their look and are perfect for those with grey hair.

dye curly hair

How to Dye all of your curly hair:

  • Separate and secure your hair into four sections
  • With your gloves on, start applying the color into each section
  • Massage the hair dye into your curls in the section
  • When you’ve saturated one section with the product, secure it in a bun
  • Work your way around until you’ve applied the dye to all of your hair

How to Get Curly Hair Highlights At Home:

  • Cut pieces of foil to your desired width for your highlights
  • Separate your hair into four or five sections using your tail comb and hair clips
  • Ensure that your sections are within the width of your foil pieces
  • Use a tail comb to create very thin sections
  • Apply the highlighting product to your hair with a brush
  • Wrap the saturated section in foil

Pintura Curly Highlights At Home

Pintura is the Spanish word for “painting” so the technique is similar to painting color on specific curls.

These highlights don’t involve the use of foil and application is pretty easy, especially if you have some help.

Check out this fantastic video about pintura highlights.

How To Color Your Roots At Home

  • Section & secure you hair
  • Use a tail comb to make smaller sections in each section
  • Apply the dye to the roots only – of each small section
dye curly hair roots at home

Dyeing Your Curly Hair From Brown To Blonde

If you’re going blonde the most important thing to do is to take your time!

Don’t lighten your hair in one session.

This is especially true if you’re going from dark to blonde. This will help your strands to stay healthy and will result in less damage.

Most curly girls prefer to let a professional do the transition to blonde.

6. Rinse out the dye, deep Condition & style as usual

Once you’ve waited the recommended time:

  • wash out the dye thoroughly.
  • Use shampoos on scalp and hair, cleansing gently.
  • Let water run over your head until the water runs clear.
  • Use your favorite conditioner and mask to treat your freshly colored hair.
  • Style using your preferred curly girl routine and enjoy your new look!
How To Dye Curly Hair At Home Without Damaging It

What To Do After Coloring Curly Hair

After coloring, to keep hair healthy the most important thing to do is take care of your hair. Here are some tips.

How To Take care of curls & Keep Hair Healthy After Dyeing It:

  1. Use products that are hydrating and strengthening, like Olaplex No 3.
  2. Be as gentle as you can with your scalp & hair and do a treatment as soon as possible.
  3. Try not to shampoo for at least 5 days after coloring
  4. Use sulfate-free shampoos that help to protect and preserve your color.
  5. Condition and Deep condition once a week
  6. Use a protein mask to strengthen every month
  7. Follow a moisture-rich curly girl routine

It’s very important that you don’t skip using deep conditioners and leave-in conditioners on wash days!

Tip: If you dyed your curly hair blonde, use a purple shampoo. This helps to preserve the blonde color.

how to take care of curly hair after coloring it

Last thoughts about Dyeing curly hair

So, if you’ve been wanting to change up your look by dyeing your hair a different color or shade, but have been hesitant because you think it might be too hard or cause damage, we hope this article has put your mind at ease.

Changing your hair color doesn’t have to be scary – in fact, it can be a lot of fun!

And as long as you follow the tips in this article and take care of your curls after the fact with a good routine, there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy beautiful curls with vibrant new hues.

Remember, if you’re not up for trying this at home, schedule an appointment with a professional who specializes and has a lot of experience doing it. At your appointment be clear about what you’d like your results to be and ensure that you get some recommendations for aftercare and products.

Have fun experimenting with different colors and shades – just make sure you keep these tips in mind for the health of your curls!

Have you ever dyed your curly hair at home? If so, what advice would you give someone just starting out?

Before You Go, You Will Love These Other Posts For Curly Hair:

Product recommendations
Product Reviews
Important Information To Care For Curls & Waves
Dyeing Textured Hair At Home Without Damaging It
Wavy & Curly Hair Routines & hairstyles

How To Dye Curly Hair At Home Without Damaging It – Easy Steps & Tips Read More »

how to tell if you have naturally curly hair

How to Tell If You Have Naturally Curly Hair + Free Quiz

How to Tell If You Have Naturally Curly Hair + Free Quiz

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So, you’re wondering – Do I have curly hair? How to know if you have naturally curly or wavy hair?

It’s possible that your hair is actually wavy or curly and you’ve just been using the wrong products and techniques to bring out its natural curly pattern.

In this post, I’ll share 3 easy ways for how to tell if you have curly hair.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link.

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How To Find Out If You Have Natural Curly Hair

Now that we know the different hair types, let’s dive into the fun part of this post! Figuring out if you have natural waves or curls.

The best time to get the most accurate results from these curly hair tests is when your hair is healthy. If your hair is processed or damaged from frequent heat straightening or dyeing, for instance, these curly hair type tests may give you inaccurate results.

The great news is that if you do have damaged hair and you still determine that you have waves or curls, you can start transitioning and training your curls.

Top 3 Easy Ways To Tell You Have Curly hair

3 easy ways to find out if you have wavy or curly hair:

  1. Your wet hair forms waves or curls
  2. Your natural hair dries naturally with bends and curls, with no products
  3. You struggle with dry, frizzy hair
how to tell if your hair is naturally curly, how do i know if you have curly hair, do i have curly hair? - your wet hair curls

1.  Wet hair forms waves or Curls

Another way to tell if you have naturally curly hair is to look for curls when it’s wet.

Without brushing your wet hair, check to see if waves or curls form after washing your hair.

If bends or ringlets form then you have curly hair.

The reason for not brushing it wet is because when you brush it you may encourage your waves or curls to elongate and look straight.

I have type 3a and 3b curls and if I brush my wet hair, it can sometimes look straight for a bit before it starts to curl naturally.

If you have looser curls and you brush your hair when it’s wet, it may be difficult to tell if you have curly hair.

By brushing it you may think you have straight hair and miss the opportunity to use the wavy or curly hair products and techniques to enhance and define your natural curls.

2. Your natural hair dries naturally with bends and curls, with no products

Let Your Hair Air Dry With No Products And Examine The Results

Many people with type 2 hair may end up with results that basically look straight after their hair is dry.

But, if they look closely at different sections of their hair, they may see a slight bend, twist or wave.

Even on the hair shaft, it may be straight towards the end and wavy or curly closer to the scalp.

One may be that the length of the hair shaft has become accustomed to being styled straight. So, by looking at the new growth that has not yet been exposed to straight styling, you can tell if you have naturally curly hair.

You should also examine your hair line to see if you have curls forming.

3. You struggle with dry, frizzy hair

If you experience frizz when your hair is dry, even if most of your hair looks straight, you may have wavy or curly hair. I say “may” because this could also be a sign of damage.

Your best option is to use less damaging hair products and techniques for at least a month and then check again to see if your hair pattern has changed.

how to tell if i have naturally curly hair

Other Ways To Tell If You Have Curly Hair

You must flat iron your hair often or need keratin treatment

If you must blow dry, flat iron or require keratin treatment to manage or maintain your straight hairstyle, you probably have wavy or curly hair.

Again, your best bet is to stop using damaging heat styling techniques or chemical treatments and check it again in about a month.

how to tell if your hair is naturally curly, how do i know if you have curly hair, do i have curly hair? - you wonder if your hair is curly

You Wonder if your hair is wavy or curly

“Is my hair wavy or curly?” If you’re even asking this and you’re trying to figure out if your hair is wavy or curly this is probably the first clue that you might have a textured hair pattern.

Style with curly hair products and techniques

This one is obvious. If you want to know once and for all if you have curly hair, try to style your hair using wavy or curly hair products and check your results when it’s dry, for curls.

How To Tell If You Have Curly Hair Quiz

A fun and easy way to try to answer your question “how can I tell if I have curly hair?” is to try this curly hair quiz to see if you might have naturally textured hair.

Curly Hair Patterns

Knowing the different hair types is the first step in figuring out your hair and curl type.

The main advantage of knowing your hair type and curl pattern is to be able to choose the best curly hair products and methods for your specific curly hair pattern.

Figuring out your hair type involves knowing your:

  1. Scalp type – is it normal, dry or oily?
  2. Hair pattern – is it straight, wavy, curly or coily
  3. Hair density – is your hair fine, thick, coarse?
  4. Porosity – your hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture.

Curly Hair Types

There are 4 hair types and 3 sub types:

  • Type 1 – Straight – no texture, bends or kinks
  • Type 2 – Wavy – waves, bends or s patterns
  • Type 3 – Curly – s shaped pattern, curls, ringlets
  • Type 4 – Coily – tight curls

Curly hair types range from type 2 to 4 and it’s important to note that most people have more than one hair type and that their hair type may change throughout their lifetime.

Types of Hair: How to Style and Care for Your Hair Type

Type 2A wavy hair is perhaps the trickiest hair pattern to identify.

Some women with wavy hair, opt to flat iron to style their hair straight.

Others may think their hair is straight and that their only option to control the frizz is to flat iron.

If you want to enhance your natural hair type and curl pattern though, the first step is to figure out what your hair type is so that you can follow curly hair guides, tricks, hacks, and most importantly products specifically designed for your hair type.

How To Style Naturally Curly Hair

So, you’ve done the tests above and you’ve found out that you have naturally curly hair. What’s your next step?

The great news is that there is so much information on curly hair care and affordable curly hair products that work to help you to experiment and enjoy your new journey.

Many girls start off with the curly girl method or a variation of it.

Essentially, the curly girl method is aimed to help curly girls achieve healthy curls.

Some products on the market have damaging ingredients that cause your curls to look dull, frizzy, and undefined.

The curly girl method has brought to light what those ingredients are so that you’re better able to choose the best products for your hair.

I personally don’t follow the curly girl method exactly, but I do practice some of the advice given.

You will love these posts to get you started on your curly hair journey:

Can You Make Your Hair Curlier?

The good news is that you can definitely make your hair curlier and more defined by training your curls.

It’s possible that your curls aren’t living up to their true potential.

Perhaps it’s damaged from heat or maybe you just haven’t been using the right products and techniques. You’re probably wondering if you can bring back your curls.

Try these curly girl styling techniques to train your curls:

  1. Use the best products for your hair type
  2. Finger coiling is my favorite way to train your curls especially when transitioning.
  3. Two strand twists – check this video for a simple tutorial

Being consistent with curly hair methods, techniques, and best practices will improve the health of your textured hair and encourage defined curls.

Can Your Hair Become Curlier?

Without getting into a scientific explanation (if you’re interested, this is a good article), your hair can become curlier, wavier, or straighter throughout your life.

Genetics might be the main contributor to your hair type but you can also have lifestyle, dietary or environmental factors.

I’ve heard of many women’s hair getting curlier during and after pregnancy. In different climates, your curl type, texture, and pattern can change.

In cases of environmental factors like climate and humidity, choosing the correct products is extremely important.

The products that you use and work well during the summer may not necessarily work as well during winter.

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Embracing Your Naturally Curly Hair

I hope this has helped tell if you have naturally curly hair.

If you’ve done the tests and quiz in this post and you’ve realized that you have waves or curls the first thing to do is to embrace your textured hair.

Be patient and give your hair time to adjust to the change in routine.

Most importantly, experiment and be consistent.

I’d love to hear what you learned about your hair today!

Before You Go, You Will Love These Other Posts For Curly Hair

Curly Girl Routines

Curly Girl Hair Care

Curly Girl Product Recommendations

Curly Girl Product Reviews

How to Tell If You Have Naturally Curly Hair + Free Quiz Read More »

how to grow curly hair faster

How To Grow Curly Hair Fast – 8 Best Tips For Curly Hair Growth

How To Grow Curly Hair Fast – 8 Tips To Grow Out Short Curly Hair

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Do you want to learn how to grow curly hair fast ? In this post, I cover my top 8 tips for curly hair growth.

Growing out short curly hair fast can sometimes be challenging.

But, I’ve got the best tips for you that will help you learn how to make curly hair grow faster.

Whether you’re looking to promote root hair growth or length retention, these curly habits will help you to grow longer curly hair faster.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link.

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How Long Does It Take For Naturally Curly Hair To Grow?

The length of time it takes for your curly hair to grow is very dependent on your hair type and the effort put in to encourage hair growth.

Curly hair that is cared for regularly and protected is more likely to grow stronger and faster.

When I follow these naturally curly hair growth tips, I typically get about half to one inch of growth per month.

I don’t always track my hair growth but if you’d like to, this is a pretty cool curly hair growth chart tshirt.

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How To Grow Curly Hair Fast : My Best Curly Hair Growth Tips

How I grow my curly hair fast

  1. Maintain a healthy diet to maximize hair growth
  2. Trim your curly ends when you notice splitting
  3. Give your scalp extra love to stimulate hair follicles and encourage hair growth
  4. Follow curly hair care tips for your curl type and start the CG method
  5. Use the best curly hair products for your curls
  6. Follow a good curly hair routine
  7. Protect your curls while you sleep to minimize breakage
  8. Use protective hairstyles for your curly hair
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Maintain a healthy diet For Maximum Curly Hair Growth

As with most things in our lives, maintaining a healthy diet and getting sufficient water daily will help with curly hair growth.

Maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle, balances your hormones which promote hair growth.

Ensuring that you get sufficient vitamins like A, B, C, D & E through food and supplements will help you to grow long, curly hair.

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Pay Attention To Your Curly Hair Ends To Maintain The Length Of Your Hair

I don’t love cutting my hair often, which includes the “regular” trims that my hairdresser would recommend.

Instead, I pay very close attention to my ends and I’m always on the lookout for signs of splitting.

Once my curly hair has split ends, I’ll go in to have a trim.

Another great tip for your curly ends is to moisturize and hydrate them more than the top of your head.

Your ends are the oldest parts of your curls and will be more prone to being dry, frizzy and brittle, which would lead to more breakage and split ends.

This means that even though you’re achieving hair growth from your roots, you’re not retaining your curly length.

This is probably why it feels as though your naturally curly hair isn’t growing.

By taking good care of your curly length, you will realize that your don’t split as quickly as they used to.

Of course, this means, you can go longer without getting a trim so you maintain your curly length.

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Give Your Scalp Some Extra Love For Curly Hair Growth

Similar to having a skin care routine, it’s essential to have a scalp care routine.

For your normal curly girl routine, dedicate some time before your wash day routine to moisturize and massage your scalp.

For a curly girl hair growth routine, add daily scalp massages with your favorite hair growth oil.

The best time to stimulate your hair follicles with scalp massages for hair growth is at night, right before bedtime.

With a small amount of your hair growth product on your fingertips, gently massage your scalp.

This will stimulate your hair follicles, increase blood flow, and promote curly hair growth.

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Follow Curly Girl Tips For Your Hair Type To Grow Your Hair

One of the most important aspects of growing long curly hair is maintaining your length.

This means that you have to prioritize minimizing breakage.

One of the most important curly hair growth practices deep conditioning your curls at least once a week.

Deep conditioning hydrates and strengthens your curls, preventing breakage so that you maintain healthy long curls.

Additionally, spend some time researching best practices for your curly hair type and incorporate them into your routines.

If you don’t know where to start, check out these posts:

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Use The Best Curly Girl Products For Your Hair Type & Hair Growth

The products you use for your curly hair are essential for curly hair growth success.

If you’re using products that are drying and damaging to the length of your hair, you’re more likely to experience breakage.

Finding the right products for your naturally curly hair will take a bit of trial and error but the results will definitely be worth it.

Your curls will be healthier, more defined and you will grow your curly hair longer, faster.

Using the best curly hair products for your natural curls doesn’t have to break the bank.

You will love these Curly Hair product recommendations:

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Follow A Good Curly Hair Growth Routine

Being consistent with a curly hair routine for your hair type is also very important to encourage hair growth.

Your curly hair routine doesn’t have to take up half of your morning.

If you’re looking for simple hair routines, check these out:

Wavy hair (2a, 2b, 2c hair) routine & 3a 3b hair curly routine

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Protect Your Curls While You Sleep

As you toss and turn in your sleep, the friction on your pillow can cause breakage.

It’s therefore important to protect your curls while you sleep.

This will ensure that the length of your curly hair stays healthy and strong and won’t break easily.

Check out these easy tips on how to protect your curls while you sleep.

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Use Protective Hairstyles For Your Hair To Promote Curly Hair Growth

One of my best tips to make curly hair grow faster is to use protective styles often.

Styling your hair once a week and only maintaining it throughout the week will help to minimize breakage and therefore, maintain the length of your curls.

The more you style and manipulate your hair, the more likely it will break.

To make your wash and go last longer, try adding a curl cream or curly girl gel to add hold to your defined curls.

This helps reduce frizz, locks in moisture, and reduces the number of times you have to touch and manipulate your hair on refresh days.

Using hairstyles to protect your curls will help to protect the length of your naturally curly hair from breakage.

Examples of protective hairstyles For Curly Hair Growth:

  • double dutch braids
  • french braids
  • twist outs
  • simple high-top curly bun
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Curly Hair Growth Oils

The best hair growth oil products will typically have 2 types of oils at the top of the ingredient list in its formula – a carrier oil and an essential oil.

Essential oils are great for hair growth but it’s not recommended to use them directly on your scalp.

Essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, rosemary, lavender, and tea tree are paired with carrier oils like castor, coconut, jojoba and olive.

There are a few preferred oils that are used by many curly and wavy girls to grow their hair – try out any below. You can click to purchase easily on Amazon.

Curly girl hair growth oils and products to try:

  • Tropic Isle Living The Original Jamaican Black Castor Oil – Buy On Amazon
  • The Mane Choice Multivitamin Scalp Nourishing Growth Oil – Buy on Amazon
  • Camille Rose Naturals Cocoa Nibs & Honey Ultimate Growth – Buy on Amazon
  • Curl Smith Scalp Recipe Full Lengths Density Elixir – Buy on Amazon
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Last thoughts On How To Grow Curly Hair fast

Growing out your short curly hair may not be as daunting as you may have once thought.

Remember that caring for your scalp and the length of your curly hair is critical to promoting curly hair growth.

Also, using the right products for your curls, using protective curly hairstyles, and protecting your curls while you sleep all help to strengthen your hair and minimize breakage.

I hope this post will inspire you to continue on your curly hair growth journey to get the long curly hair of your dreams. 🙂

Curly Girl Product Recommendations

Curly Girl Routines

Curly Girl Hair Care

Curly Girl Product Reviews

How To Grow Curly Hair Fast – 8 Best Tips For Curly Hair Growth Read More »

Curly Hair Sleep Secrets

How To Sleep With Curly Hair: 3 Top Easy Ways To Protect Curls Overnight

How To Sleep With Curly Hair: 3 Top Easy Ways To Protect Curls Overnight

how to sleep with curly hair - protect curly hair while you sleep. how to sleep with curly hair without ruining it

If you have curly or wavy hair, learn how to sleep with curly hair to wake up with defined curls, hydrated and little to no frizz. As a curly girl, you know that it can be a challenge to keep your curls looking their best when you’re trying to get some shut-eye.

You’ve taken your time and styled your curls to perfection and you want it to last long after you’ve slept on them. This is easy to achieve if you follow good curly girl nighttime practices.

If you don’t, you risk getting up to dry, knotted, messy and frizzy curls or waves that need more than a quick refresh.

When you sleep with your hair unprotected, you’re likely going to wake up to a change in your curl pattern, more frizz, less curl definition, and have more hair breakage from the friction caused by your hair rubbing against your cotton pillows and sheets.

For your curl definition to last beyond wash day, you need to learn the best way to sleep with curly hair to protect your curly hair at night while you sleep.

When it’s bedtime, you may be wondering:

  • Should I wrap my curls overnight?
  • How can I protect my short curly hair while sleeping?
  • What is the best way to protect my long curly hair for bed?

But don’t worry – we’ve got three easy ways for curly girls to sleep with their curly and wavy hair that will help minimize damage and keep your curls healthy, defined and hydrated until the next morning! Keep reading to learn more.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link.

3 Best Ways For Sleeping With Curly Hair Without Ruining It

If you have natural curls, it’s important to take extra care of your hair when bedtime rolls around. There are a few things that can help with this and ensure those beautiful waves stay in place all night long!

To protect your curls while you sleep, there are a few things that you can do with your nighttime routine. Textured strands are often more sensitive and need extra care when it comes time for bedtime so try one of these ways to sleep with waves and curls:

  1. Secure your curls in a pineapple
  2. Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase
  3. Put your curls in a silk or satin bonnet, scarf, buff

Protecting your hair while you sleep helps to keep curls defined the next morning so that wash day results last longer and all you need to do is a simple refresh in the morning.

how to protect your curls while you sleep

Sleeping with curly hair is easy when you add these to your curly girl nighttime routine and wake up to less frizzy and more defined curls.

You may still need to refresh your curly hair in the morning but quick refreshes are much easier to handle on a morning than a full curly hair routine.

1. Use A Protective Curly Hairstyle

Wearing your hair in a pineapple hairstyle or loose bun is a great way to protect your curls while you sleep. This method minimizes friction and keeps your curls from becoming a tangled mess.

In addition, wearing your hair in a pineapple or bun will help keep your curls hydrated and prevent them from drying out overnight.

To pineapple your hair, simply gather your curls into a high ponytail on top of your head. Then, use as, fabric covered hair tie to secure your curls in place. The best soft hair tie to use is one made of satin or silk as they are very gentle on your strands.

If you have shorter hair, you can also put your curls in a loose bun. Simply twist your hair into a bun and secure it with bobby pins.

This is one of the best and easiest ways to sleep with curly hair as your curls will not really be disturbed as you sleep leading to less frizz and hair damage overnight.

There are a few ways to put your curls in a pineapple, depending on your hair length.

How to sleep with short curly hair

Put up your short curly hair in a pineapple ponytail. To do this:

  • Flip all your hair forward
  • Place a satin scrunchy once at the very top of your head
  • You can also pineapple only the top of your hair and leave the bottom out if your hair is too short

How to sleep with long curly hair

To protect textured hair at night, secure long curls in a pineapple. Simply:

  • Start by flipping all your hair forward
  • Loosely secure curls in a satin scrunchie at the very top of your head
  • To do a loose pineapple – pull the length almost all the way through but stopping just before you reach the ends of your hair

If your scrunchie is too big, pull all your hair through the scrunchie once and then again almost all the way through.

If you have curly bangs or shorter front pieces, then leave those out of your pineapple and use a tiny clamp to clip it back.

2. Sleep on a Silk or Satin Pillowcase

If you’re looking for a super easy, no fuss way to protect your curls while you sleep, consider using a satin or silk pillowcase.

Unlike cotton pillowcases, which can absorb your hair’s natural oils and moisture, silk and satin pillowcases don’t strip your hair of its natural oils, which can help minimize frizz and keep your curls looking hydrated.

In addition, silk and satin pillowcases are gentle on your hair and allow your hair to glide over the material creating fewer opportunities for frizz and hair damage.

How to sleep with curly hair on a satin pillowcase:

This is how to prepare your curls to sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase:

  • if necessary, apply a small amount of sealing oil or leave in conditioner – this will help to keep your curls hydrated as you sleep.
  • Finger coil or shape pieces for more definition
  • leave curls loose, secure in a loose bun, or loosel braids

If you leave your curls loose, flip all of your hair forward before you lay down. This will ensure you don’t wake up with flattened curls. Even though you sleep on a satin pillowcase if you leave your hair loose while you sleep you will likely experience frizz the next morning.

While you will experience less frizz than if you slept on a cotton pillowcase, the better way to protect your hair overnight is by securing them in a loose bun and then sleeping on your satin or silk pillowcase.

3. Secure Curly Hair In A Silk Or Satin Scarf, Bonnet Or Hair Buff

Hair accessories like silk or satin scarves, bonnets, and hair buffets can be a great way to protect your locks from damage when you sleep.

They will help keep the moisture in so hair doesn’t get dry overnight which could lead not only do breakage but also tangling hassle! They should also help prevent split ends because they limit movement overnight- preserving curl definition!

How To Sleep With Curly Hair In A Silk Or Satin Bonnet:

  • Flip your hair over and put on the silk bonnet
  • Place your curls in the satin bonnet or scarf with your head upright – perfect for short curly hair
  • For long curly hair, secure your curls in a pineapple hairstyle with a soft satin hair tie, then put on your satin bonnet

To protect your hair from the friction is to sleep with a satin bonnet or scarf. This will create a barrier between your hair and your pillow and restrict your curls from moving too much while you sleep. This will help reduce frizz and preserve your curl shape.

That is if you can keep it on. I’ve tried to keep a bonnet on a few times and it always comes off.

So, if I choose to sleep with a bonnet, I always sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase for added security for my curls.

How To Sleep With Curly & Wavy Hair In A Satin Scarf:

Sleeping with a satin or silk scarf is also one of the best ways to protect your curls at night.

The smooth fabric helps to minimize friction and prevent your hair from tangling or breaking while you sleep. Plus, it helps to keep your hair hydrated and can even help reduce frizz.

Sleeping with your curly hair in a satin or silk scarf is very similar to the bonnet. The main difference is that it can be more secure because you’re tying the scarf.

This is how to put on and secure a scarf on your head:

  • Fold the scarf in half to create a bandanna.
  • Flip over your hair if you have short hair or secure long curls in a pineapple
  • Tie the scarf around your head, making sure that it’s tight enough to stay in place, but not so tight that it gives you a headache.
  • take the loose ends of the scarf and tie them in a knot at the nape of your neck.
  • tuck any loose ends into the scarf.

You can also use a headband or bobby pins to secure your scarf. Just make sure that the headband is lined with silk or satin so that it doesn’t damage your hair.

How To Put Curls & Waves In Hair Buff:

Using a buff will restrict hair movement and keep your curl pattern intact.

This is how to put curls in a hair buff:

  • pull the buff over your head until it’s around your neck
  • gently pull hair bull over the length of your curls
  • make sure all of your hair is in the buff, if your hair is too long, scrunch down the ends to fit it into the buff
  • gently shake out waves and curls in the morning.

Sleeping With Curly HairDo’s & Don’ts

To wrap up, let’s recap what you want to do and what you definitely want to avoid when you sleep with curly hair.

Curly Girl Do’s:

Curly Girl Don’ts:

  • Sleep without hair protection
  • Use cotton bedsheets
  • Secure your hair using hair ties that will damage your hair

SLEEPING WITH CURLY HAIR PRO TIP: When you get up the next morning, give your hair a shake and refresh using your favorite curly products

how to sleep with curly hair

Bringing It All Together

So, if you’re one of the millions of people with textured hair, learning how to sleep with curly hair can make all the difference in whether you wake up with defined, hydrated curls or a frizzy mess.

But by using the right techniques you won’t wake up to frizzy curls. Be sure to secure your curls in a pineapple, sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase, and put your curls in a bonnet or scarf made from silk or satin – you can wake up with bouncy curls that are defined and hydrated.

Have you tried any of these methods? What works best for you? Let us know in the comments below!

Before You Go, You Will Love These Other Posts For Curly Hair:

Product recommendations
Product Reviews
Important Information To Care For Curls & Waves
Dyeing Textured Hair At Home Without Damaging It
Wavy & Curly Hair Routines & hairstyles

How To Sleep With Curly Hair: 3 Top Easy Ways To Protect Curls Overnight Read More »

Easy Curly Hair Routine

3A 3B Curly Hair Routine: How To Care For The Best Defined Curls

3A 3B Curly Hair Routine: How To Care For The Best Defined Curls

3a 3b curly hair routine - how to care for 3a 3b hair - curlybunmom.com

This easy, quick curly girl hair routine 3a 3b hair routine leaves me with gorgeous defined curls, every time.

If you’re looking for one of the simplest and best curly hair routines from wash day to refresh days for your 3a hair or 3b hair then you’ve come to the right place!

I have also included some of my favorite curly girl product recommendations that you can easily purchase by just clicking on the links provided.

Easy curly hair routine - step by step guide

What Is 3a Hair & 3b Hair Type?

3a hair and 3b hair are curly hair types.

Check this post for a more detailed description of each type 3 hair.

Girls with 3a hair have loosely defined spiral curls and great volume.

3a hair strands can be fine to medium texture and is more susceptible to frizz than 2b hair or 2c hair.

If you have type 3b hair, your curls and ringlets are tight, well-defined, and voluminous.

3b hair texture can be fine or medium and is prone to dryness and frizz.

So, if you have type 3 hair or a combo of both, like me, let’s look at how to take care and style your curls.

Affiliate Disclosure: “This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link.”

3A 3B Curly Hair Routine

steps for 3a 3b curly hair Routine:

  1. Wash your hair
  2. Condition your curls
  3. Deep condition
  4. Apply styling products
  5. Scrunch
  6. Air Dry or Diffuse
  7. Scrunch out the crunch

Ok, now let’s break down each step.

Check here for all of my favorite 3a 3b Curly hair products.

 3a-3b-curly-hair-routine-curly-girl-products-wash-day-routine-refresh-day-routine

1. How To Wash Your 3A 3B Curly Hair

Ensuring that the curly girl products you choose and the method you’re using to cleanse your scalp and hair is a critical step.

Choosing the wrong cleanser and washing your hair too often can cause damage or dry out your hair.

Many shampoos that lather a lot are actually very damaging. Most of those contain damaging and harsh ingredients that strip your hair follicle.

It’s a good idea to look for a shampoo that is silicone, paraben, and sulfate-free.

How Often Should You Wash 3a 3b Curly Hair?

You should wash your 3a 3b curly hair at least once a week.

Any more than that could dry out your hair, causing moisture overload & hygral fatigue.

How To Wash Your Curly Hair

  • Apply shampoo to your scalp only
  • Gently massage your scalp with fingertips
  • Rinse throughly & gently

When washing your curly girl sulfate-free shampoo, concentrate on cleansing your scalp.

Be sure to use your fingertips or shampoo brush to massage your scalp to cleanse.

If you think your scalp needs some extra love, you can use a gentle clarifying shampoo that is specifically for your scalp.

After using my fingertips to massage my scalp, I bring the extra product down the length of my hair.

Don’t apply shampoo directly to the length of your hair. As you rinse, the shampoo that was applied to the scalp is sufficient to cleanse the length of your curls.

Finally, rinse thoroughly, and move on to conditioning your hair.

Find curly girl method Sulfate Free Low Poo shampoos here.

2. How To Condition 3A 3B curly Hair

Conditioning your 3a hair or 3b hair is extremely important for your hair’s health. Curly hair needs hydration and strength and using the best conditioner for your hair is essential.

Depending on the health of your curls you can use a rinse-out conditioner to detangle and then move on to deep conditioning. Try any of these great curly girl conditioners.

If you’re doing a mid-week wash, then my recommendation is still to use a curly girl conditioner that is silicone free, moisturizing and provides enough slip to detangle easily.

Applying your conditioner is the same for both deep conditioning and regular. Apply your preferred curly girl conditioner to the length of your 3a 3b hair and not directly on your scalp.

If your hair is pretty tangled, apply the conditioner in sections and smooth it down the length of your hair. This will ensure better product distribution and easier detangling.

To detangle, you can simply use your fingers or a brush. Start from the bottom and work your way up. Using a brush can also help with product distribution, curl clumping and definition.

Once you’ve detangled, rinse the conditioner thoroughly. Leaving in conditioner can cause moisture overload.

If your hair is already detangled after washing, you can skip the conditioner and deep condition after washing.

Try these great curly Girl Approved Conditioners for your curly hair.

3a-3b-curly-hair-routine-curly-girl-products-wash-day-routine-refresh-day-routine

3. Deep Conditioning 3a 3b Curly Hair

A great curly girl rule is to always deep condition ONCE a week, every week. Learn more about how to deep condition your curly hair.

Try one of these deep conditioners for best results.

The best curly girl deep conditioner for your 3a curls or 3b curls will be silicone-free and will provide enough hydration and strength, depending on the product of choice.

Follow the directions on your product for the best results. Most deep conditioners recommend leaving the product for about 20 mins.

Deep conditioning once a week is one of the best curly hair care tips to improve the overall health of your curly hair.

Check out these Curly girl Method Approved Deep conditioner recommendations For Your Curly Hair.

Remove Excess Water

To remove excess water, wrap your hair with a cotton t-shirt or microfiber towel.

These are best as they reduce the chance of hair breakage and frizz. After a couple of minutes, remove the towel or cotton t shirt and proceed with styling.

4. How To Style 3A 3B Curly Hair

Now for the fun part! Styling your curls 🙂 Try these curly girl products for your 3a hair or 3b hair curly routine.

Applying styling products on 3a 3b curly hair that is too dry or too wet gives a horrible end result for my hair type.

I have seen some curly hair tutorials on youtube where products are applied to soaking wet hair and the results look amazing. This is definitely not the case for my hair. I’ve tried this and my hair looked awful!

For my hair type, dampening my 3a 3b hair before styling is the best! Experiment to see what works for you.

3A 3B Hair Curly Styling Routines

There are many curly hair routines and tutorials available for you to try for your 3a 3b hair. Just to name a few:

  • The LOC (liquid, oil, cream) method
  • The LCO (liquid, cream, oil) method
  • One and done styling method
  • Curly Girl (CG) method
  • Any combination or variation of the above

Over the years one of the biggest mistakes I made was trying various routines and methods that worked with either low porosity hair or a different curly type. This is a fantastic video to explain why different routines are necessary for each type.

The way your 3a hair or 3b hair responds to products largely depends on your hair porosity.

If you’re unsure of your porosity, you can check out these curly hair basics before you continue reading.

Experimenting with routines and curly hair products is the best way to find the best routine for your curls.

What Is The Order Of Products For 3a 3b Curly Hair

  • Liquid (leave in conditioner)
  • Curl cream
  • Gel or mousse
  • Sealing oil
3a-3b-curly-hair-routine-curly-girl-products-wash-day-routine-refresh-day-routine

How much curly Girl product should you use?

The amount of each product you will use will depend on your curly hair texture and the length of your hair. But a good rule of thumb is to use the diameter of your hair when it’s in a ponytail.

Remember, even when using a curly guide, the key to having awesome curly hair is to keep experimenting with different products and routines to find your best fit.

Curly Girl Products For 3a 3b Hair

Leave In Conditioners For 3a 3b Hair

Your liquid of choice can be a leave-in conditioner or simply water, if your hair doesn’t need extra moisture.

I ensure that my hair is damp before applying my styling products.

If your hair has dried out a bit too much when you are ready to style, use water from a spray bottle to dampen it.

Recommended Leave in Conditioners for 3A Curls or 3B Curls

  • Mixed Chicks Leave-in Conditioner – Buy on: Amazon | Target | Ulta
  • Kinky Curly Knot Today Natural Leave In Conditioner – Buy on: Amazon | Target
  • Shea Moisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Leave In Conditioner – Buy on: Amazon | Target | Ulta

Try any of these other curly hair leave in conditioners.

3a 3b curly hair routine

Penetrating Oil For 3a Hair & 3b Curly Hair

This product is optional. Lots of curly girls don’t like this but my hair loves it. You can apply an oil that penetrates your hair shafts for extra hydration.

These penetrating oils are thin and allow your 3a 3b curly hair to retain moisture.

Your hair strands will soak up as much as it needs. Great options are:

  • Coconut oil
  • Almond oil
  • Olive oil
  • Avocado Oil

My 3a 3b curls absolutely love coconut oil. Once I’m at home, it’s usually the only hair product I use as it gives my hair enough moisture. Typically, after applying my oil, I let my hair air dry and then I braid or put my hair in a curly bun.

Applying too much oil could cause your hair to feel too oily and it may end up looking lymph. You will learn what’s the right amount by experimenting.

Finally, use your Denman brush to ensure that the product is well distributed. And scrunch or braid, if desired.

For longer lasting curls, move on to applying a curl cream and gel.

Curl Creams For 3a Hair & 3b Curly Hair

Curl creams provide additional moisture, definition, and even some hold for your 3a curls or 3b curls.

favorite curl creams for 3a 3b hair:

  • Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie – Buy on Amazon | Target
  • Creme of Nature Moisture Whip Twisting Cream – Buy on Amazon | Target
  • Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Curl Defining Hair Cream – Buy on Amazon | Target | Ulta
  • Hairitage Ahead of the Curl! Curl Creme – Buy on Amazon | Walmart (read review here)
  • Mixed Chicks Leave in Conditioner – I know this is a leave in conditioner but often, I apply a generous amount and it works so good. I get great definition and hold. – Buy on Amazon | Target

How To Apply your Curly Girl curl cream

  • Apply in small sections of your hair.
  • Start by smoothing a small amount of your preferred curl cream with the palm of your hands.
  • Brush smaller sections away from your scalp with your Denman brush. This is essential to get the best curl definition and volume.
  • For the top of your head, brush each section up and again, away from your scalp to encourage volume. Brushing your hair downwards encourages your hair to lay flatter.
  • Gently shake the section to help with curl definition.
  • Scrunch for maximum definition.

Mousse Or Gels For 3a 3b Curly Hair

If you’re looking for more hold and longer-lasting curls, at this point you can apply a mousse or a gel to your 3a 3b curls.

These curly stylers create a cast on your curls. This may result in your hair feeling crunchy as it holds your curl pattern for a longer time.

The great news is though, you can break the cast by “scrunching out the crunch” while you diffuse.

If you’re going to diffuse your hair, applying these products is beneficial as it will help to reduce frizz in the drying process.

Apply the curly girl gel or mousse by gently glazing the product over your hair and then scrunching it into your curls. This helps to distribute the mousse and defines your curl pattern even more.

Favorite mousse for 3a Curls or 3b Curls:

Gels For 3a 3b Curly Hair:

Or, try one of these curly girl method approved gel recommendations.

Find more 3a 3b curly girl product recommendations.

6. Air Dry Or Diffuse Your 3a 3b Hair

When the weather is warm, air drying is definitely my preference for my 3a 3b curly hair. Air drying also gives me less shrinkage which I love.

If I’m preparing for a night out and of course, for curly girls in the winter, diffusing is the best option.

This is how I diffuse My 3a 3b hair to prevent damage:

  • After applying your curly girl products, wait about 10 minutes before diffusing for the gel cast to form.
  • Use low heat and speed setting
  • Try not to touch and manipulate your curls while you diffuse
  • Work your way around the crown of your head to dry
  • Move on to the ends, cupping them towards your head

Hover the hairdryer over your curls and work your way around your head until your hair is dried to your satisfaction.

The length of time required will, of course, depend on the thickness and length of your hair.

This is a great video explaining and demonstrating how to diffuse 3a 3b curly hair.

Scrunch Out The Crunch

SOTC With Sealing Oil For 3a 3b Curly Hair

To end, you can scrunch out the crunch by applying a small amount of sealing or coating oil to your hands and gently scrunch your curls.

These oils sit on top of the hair shaft and lock in the moisture in your hair. They add shine and help to keep your hair soft.

Here are some great options for your 3a 3b hair:

  • Twist Curl Reign Multi Use Miracle Oil – Buy on Amazon | Walmart | Target
  • Curl Smith Bonding Oil – Buy on Amazon | Ulta
  • Argan Oil
  • Grape Seed Oil
  • Jojoba Oil

To apply, simply rub a very small amount of oil in the palm of your hands and scrunch very gently.

Read more on how to scrunch out the crunch

How To Sleep With 3A 3B Curly hair Without Ruining It

There are a couple of ways to sleep to preserve your curls. The best way would depend on your circumstances and hair type.

I’ve tried satin bonnets and I honestly dislike it and it never stays on anyway. Instead, I sleep on a satin pillowcase with my hair in a loose pineapple to protect my curls.

Read this post for more tips on How To Sleep with curly hair without ruining your curls.

How To Refresh 3a 3b Curly Hair

To refresh your 3a 3b hair in days following wash day, take your hair down from the pineapple or take off your satin bonnet and gently shake your curls.

Refresh day Option 1:

  • Take hair down from pineapple or bonnet
  • Gently shake curls
  • Smooth curls with serum to tame frizz

Refresh Day Option 2

  • Take hair down from pineapple or bonnet
  • Gently shake curls
  • Spray hair with water
  • Finger coil any curls that lost their curl pattern
  • Smooth curls with serum to tame frizz

If you need a little more hair product, you can add more once you’ve dampened your hair. Then finger coil and you’re good to go.

Check this super easy refresh routine for your curly hair.

3A 3B Curly Hair Routine Summarized

The best routine for your 3a 3b curly hair requires experimenting and trial and error.

There are many curly hair routines and tutorials available for you to try, so experiment until you find what works best for you.

There are also many curly hair products and curly girl method-approved products available for you to use in your routine to find the best ones for your 3a 3b hair.

I would really love to hear about your 3a 3b curly hair routine. Let’s chat in the comments below!

Before You Go, You Will Love These Other Posts For Curly Hair:

Product recommendations
Product Reviews
Important Information To Care For Curls & Waves
Dyeing Textured Hair At Home Without Damaging It
Wavy & Curly Hair Routines & hairstyles

3A 3B Curly Hair Routine: How To Care For The Best Defined Curls Read More »