The Best Curly Hair Hacks -14 Hacks for Wavy & Curly Hair

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If you’re tired of trying to figure out what actually works for your wavy or curly hair, this is for you.

These simple, practical tips will help you get softer, more defined waves and curls—without the overwhelm of a full Curly Girl Method routine. Just everyday habits that make a real difference.

And no, you don’t need to follow every step. Try a few, see how your hair reacts, and build your routine from there.

Not sure where to start? Take the Curly Hair Type Quiz or download the free Quick Start Guide to Mastering Your Curls to get a customized starting point.

1. Skip dry brushing – detangle with conditioner and style with a brush if it helps

This is a game-changer if you’ve been brushing your hair dry.

Instead, detangle in the shower with your conditioner in. This helps melt away knots while keeping your curl pattern intact.

Use a wide-tooth comb, a detangling brush, or even just your fingers—whatever feels easiest. You can also use a styling brush (like the Denman or Bounce Curl brush) after detangling if you like the way it shapes your curls or waves.

What you don’t want to do is brush dry hair. That just creates frizz, splits up your clumps, and leads to frustration.

2. Use a leave-in conditioner or don’t rinse all your conditioner out

Wavy and curly hair naturally pulls moisture from the air, which leads to frizz.

The fix? Make sure your hair is already hydrated before you step out of the shower.

You can either use a lightweight leave-in or just leave a little of your rinse-out conditioner in. If your hair is dry or thick, you might need more moisture. If it’s fine or low density, go lighter. Misting leave-in conditioner is a great hack for those with easily weighed-down hair.

And remember: if your hair doesn’t feel slippery and soft like seaweed in the shower, it probably needs more moisture.

3. Apply styling products to soaking wet hair

Yes, soaking wet.

This gives you better curl clumps, more definition, and helps lock in moisture.

Right after your leave-in, apply your styler (gel, mousse, or cream) with your head flipped upside down or to the side. Smooth it through, then scrunch upward. It might feel like a lot of product and water at first, but once you micro-plop or towel dry, it evens out.

This alone can drastically reduce frizz.

4. Ditch the bath towel – use a t-shirt, microfiber, or flour sack towel

Regular towels are rough and too absorbent.

A soft t-shirt or microfiber towel gently blots water without roughing up the cuticle or pulling too much moisture from your hair. Less frizz, better definition.

No rubbing! Just gently scrunch or blot.

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5. Try plopping

Plopping helps your hair set in curl clumps while removing excess water.

Wrap your wet hair in a t-shirt or microfiber towel for about 10–20 minutes after applying products. Some people even sleep this way.

If you’re new to plopping, start with short sessions to avoid over-drying at the roots.

6. Try micro plopping

This one’s great for fine, low-density, or easily weighed-down hair.

Micro-plopping is a quick blotting method done after styling but before diffusing. Use your towel to gently scrunch excess water and product, giving you more volume and less stringiness.

Think of it like a pre-diffuse refresh.

7. Hands off while your hair is drying

This is one of the hardest habits to break, but it’s so worth it.

Touching your curls while they’re drying breaks up the cast and introduces frizz. Resist the urge. Let them fully dry before scrunching or fluffing.

8. Let your hair dry in a cast, then scrunch it out

You want that crunchy, stiff feel, at least at first.

It means your product has formed a “cast” around your curls to hold their shape as they dry. Once your hair is fully dry, gently scrunch to break the cast and reveal soft, bouncy waves or curls underneath.

No rubbing or pulling, just scrunch upward with dry hands or a little lightweight oil if you need slip.

9. Use a diffuser for volume and definition

Diffusing speeds up drying and helps boost volume and curl shape.

Use a low heat and low airflow setting. Hover diffuse or “pixie diffuse” by scooping hair at the ends and lifting toward your scalp, holding for 30–60 seconds before moving on.

This also helps with frizz control and better day-two hair.

10. Clip your roots while drying for extra volume

If your roots fall flat, root clipping can help lift them while your hair dries.

Use small duckbill or claw clips to lift sections at the root. You can air dry or diffuse with the clips in—just be careful if using heat so the clips don’t get too hot.

Top Pick

11. Deep condition before washing

If your hair gets weighed down easily, try flipping the deep condition step.

Applying a deep conditioner before washing helps soften and hydrate your hair without leaving heavy residue behind. It’s especially helpful for low porosity or fine hair types.

Try it once and see how your hair responds.

12. Pineapple or use a buff at night

Protecting your curls at night makes a big difference in how long your style lasts.

You can gently gather your hair into a loose high ponytail (aka pineapple) or wear a satin/silk buff. Both prevent tangling and frizz caused by friction and rubbing.

13. Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase

Cotton absorbs moisture and causes friction, which leads to frizz.

A silk or satin pillowcase lets your curls glide instead. It also helps your skin, which is a bonus. This is one of the simplest upgrades you can make for healthier hair overnight.

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05/16/2025 12:36 pm GMT

14. Refresh with a conditioner-and-water mix

Second or third day curls looking limp or frizzy?

Try this: mix a few pumps of lightweight conditioner into a spray bottle of water. Mist it on your hair, then scrunch or finger coil to reshape your curls. This reactivates leftover styling products and adds back some much-needed moisture.

Bottom Line

You don’t need a 10-step routine or a basket full of products to get healthy, defined curls. A few simple tweaks can make all the difference.

Track what you’re doing, stay consistent, and remember, it’s not about perfect curls. It’s about learning what works for your hair.

👉 Grab the Curly Journey Journal if you want an easy way to log your routines, results, and product combos.

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