There’s never been a better time to have curly hair. It’s mainly due to the growing number of entertainers bringing their own waves and coils to stages, screens and red carpets around the world, providing those of us who aren’t famous with plenty of examples of how to make the most of our waves and coils. Thanks to you. As a result, a new interpretation of the floppy hairstyle was born. It’s a lazy shag with a sleek, light-catching spin. These guys make it look easy.
But don’t be fooled. Behind the pillars at movie premieres are professional celebrity trimmers, making sure every hair is in the right place. Jeremy Allen White’s hair looks the way it does today thanks to the advice of KC Fee, who helped bring this story to life. We called her one of the best barbers to follow on social media, but technically she’s not a barber. Still, that doesn’t stop men like Henry Golding, Ralph Fiennes, Luke Evans, Kumail Nanjiani, and Murray Bartlett from turning to her for their most important events.
So we asked Fee to share some tips on how others can achieve the same effect with their own hair. Read on for pro-level tips for making curly hair look great.
Wash your hair less often
Perhaps you think you don’t need a “daily shampoo”. Washing your hair too much can make it look dry, even if you’ve pushed it with conditioner. And the more textured your hair is, the more you’ll want to extend this wash date, says Fee Fee. This is to manage oil buildup. ” The good news is that a simple daily rinse can wash away most of the buildup from natural oils and products you use.
best dry shampoo for curly hair
If you use dry shampoo, be sure to rinse it out at the end of each day. Don’t use it on days when you actually wash your hair or when you don’t notice a lot of oil buildup. (A custom version of Prose, which can be formulated to suit your specific needs, would be the perfect “3-day” product to lift hair from the roots and absorb excess sebum.)
more haircuts
You don’t need to wash your hair often, but you should cut your hair more often. You should go to the barber at least every six to eight weeks, but more often if you want to maintain a picture-perfect figure. “The key to this style is regular haircuts for shape and strategic layering for texture,” Fee says, adding that this deliberate formula allows for a minimalist approach to product. He added that it allows for a list approach. “Aim for a natural look without over-styling.” The ideal goal is to keep the sides and back short while increasing the length at the top.
Style your hair when it is damp and clean
Before styling each morning, you should start with wet, clean hair. This doesn’t mean you have to shampoo completely, but you should at least wash your hair. You can also spray with water if you don’t want to spray it completely.
Use leave-in conditioner
“To go from bedhead to red carpet-ready, your hair should be damp, then applied with a light styling product to hold it,” says Fee. In this case, the establishment should promise to condition your curls with a “leave-in conditioner,” “moisturizing curl cream,” or similar terminology. This means you need to choose products that are lightweight, moisturizing, and seal the cuticle to prevent moisture loss in your hair.
Here are three things Fee often recommends to his customers.
Best leave-in conditioner for curly hair
dry with diffuser
Although Fee loves letting her clients’ hair air-dry, she says you can also get more volume (and, of course, get faster results) by blow-drying. However, regardless of the amount of texture, it is important to use a diffusing attachment on the tip of the hair dryer to distribute the heat evenly. However, if you can let it air dry, Fee advises doing the same. “Air drying often preserves the natural texture better,” she says.
But for White’s signature red carpet curls, Fee dries about 80% of her hair in a diffuser and lets the rest air dry. “A diffuser removes some of the frizz while preserving your natural texture,” she explains. Most hair dryers come with a diffuser nozzle, but Fee likes to use a hot sock diffuser on her hair dryer. This is a slightly flame-resistant sock that neutralizes frizz while gently drying your curls with hot air.
best hair dryer for curly hair
Of course, you can always purchase a salon-favorite hair dryer that comes with all the necessary accessories. (A diffuser is a wide-sided thing with small teeth that disperses air around your scalp and throughout your curls.)
Use texture definition finishers
Once your hair is dry (sometimes almost until it’s almost dry), apply the final touches. That means texture sprays and light-catching oils that take your look from zoom-camera-ready to paparazzi-camera-ready.
However, the details of these finishes may vary depending on the type of hair definition.
Best finisher for most curls
Many popular salon brands offer versions of curl-defining finishers, from oils to creams to texture sprays. The aim is to have curls that really catch the light, thanks to the curl definition and heart shine.
best gel for curly hair
You can also consider a wave gel for extra hold while providing plenty of shine.
Best finisher for coiled hair
If you have coily hair, “I recommend moisturizing more,” she says. “Use a product like a creamy leave-in conditioner on damp hair before diffusing, and finish with a curl-defining cream to create tight coils.”
The perfect finisher for fine curls
For fine curls: If your individual curls are very fine, or your hair is thinning evenly, you may want to change your formula. “These hair types can benefit from volumizing products like mousses and lightweight foams that add volume without weighing down the hair,” notes Fee.
author
adam hurley
Adam is originally from South Dakota and lives in Lisbon (formerly San Francisco, New York, and Berlin). Adam writes about grooming and travel for numerous publications and launched Blue Print in 2024.
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