Benefits

To get the best style, seek out a stylist who specializes in cutting and styling curly hair.

Warning

Naturally curly hair tends to be coarse in texture and often frizzes easily. Because of this you should keep the style fairly long. The more weight in your hair, the less it will frizz out. Cutting your curly hair to a length above chin level may leave your style looking "poofy" and out of control.

Considerations

Ask your stylist to add long layers to your hair. Layers will add depth and definition to your style and keep it from resembling a Christmas tree. Also consider a partial foil of thin highlights to brighten up the color and add dimension and shine.

Products

When taking care of naturally curly hair at home, be sure to use a deep conditioner at least twice a week. Use products (shampoo, conditioner, gel, serum, mouse, scrunching spray) catered towards curly hair.

How to

To style at home. start with damp, towel-dried hair. Apply a leave-in conditioning treatment. With a wide-tooth comb, comb a curl-enhancing gel, cream, mousse or styling spray through your hair. Using a diffuser attachment on your hairdryer, blow dry your hair on a low speed/high heat setting until almost dry. To avoid tampering with the curls, be sure not to touch your hair until it's completely dry.

Source:

"Ageless Beauty," by Steven Victor, M.D., and Ina Yalof; 2003