How to Care for Fine Curly Hair: Expert Tips & Products
Fine curly hair is full of potential, but it does need a bit of extra TLC! Understanding its characteristics is the first step to embracing and enhancing those gorgeous natural curls.
In this guide, Professional Stylist, Felicia, is here to offer up styling tips, essential hair care advice, and product recommendations tailored just for fine curls!
What Makes Fine Curly Hair Unique?
Fine curly hair is particularly prone to being weighed down by heavy products, leading to flat, lifeless curls. All curly hair types are prone to dryness/dehydration, but fine curly hair is thinner and more fragile, which means it requires extra attention and care.
To maintain full volume of your fine curls, it’s important to select lightweight products that don’t build up on the surface and weigh curls down. Opting for ingredients that avoid heavy silicones, waxes or sulfates can help your curls maintain their natural bounce and shine.
Styling Struggles of Fine Curly Hair (and How to Overcome Them!)
Styling fine curly hair can involve overcoming several challenges, such as:
- Finding products that provide enough moisture without weighing down the hair
- Combating frizz
- Maintaining curl definition
- Creating volume without losing the hair’s natural texture
Experimenting with different styling techniques, like using a diffuser on a low heat setting or detangling with a wide-tooth comb, can help tackle these issues and enhance the appearance of your fine curls.
How to Care for Fine Curly Hair: Wash Day Tips
Light hydration and lubricating moisture are essential to combat dryness, maintain suppleness and bounce and prevent frizz. When selecting products, opt for lightweight formulas that don’t deposit heavy oils, waxes or emollients that could weigh down your fine curls.
Felicia says: “It’s important to be gentle with fine hair especially on wash day. Using a pre-shampoo detangler can help reduce shedding and breakage, giving a fuller look and more defined curls. It’s important to use a shampoo that removes all build-up, and to focus conditioners on the mid lengths and ends.”
“Some finer textures may even benefit from occasionally ‘reverse conditioning’ which is applying conditioner before shampoo. Then, after rinsing the shampoo, move on to styling with products that give lightweight hydration.”
Fine Curly Hair Products You’ll Love: Our Top Picks for Wash Day
We developed our Curl Wow range to benefit all types of curls. Curl Wow’s “Naked Technology” (aka our proprietary Profaxil-18 Complex™) uses completely new micro-dispersion technology to moisturize, defrizz and define curls so there’s no weight, no greasy feel, no crunch and no rigid cast.
“I love the Curl Wow range because it helps to simplify a wash day routine for anyone with textured hair, and the stylers can be used differently to address each texture’s needs!” says Felicia.
1. Snag-Free: for effortless detangling
Snag-Free Pre-Shampoo Detangler is infused with Coconut Oil to moisturize, maximize slip and minimize breakage.
A detangler is especially good for fine curly hair because it helps gently smooth out knots and tangles without the need for harsh pulling or brushing, which can cause breakage in fragile strands.
2. Hooked: for anti-shedding
Hooked is our curl shampoo that leaves NO residues for optimally fresh scalp and hair conditions and bouncier, weightless curls.
An anti-shedding shampoo can be particularly beneficial for fine curly hair because it helps strengthen fragile strands, increase “grip” at the follicle, and reduce hair fall, which fine hair is often more prone to.
3. Coco-Motion: for hydration
Coco-Motion conditioner gives dry, dehydrated, brittle, “static” curls fluid motion, silky texture, bounce and elasticity.
A hydrating conditioner is a must for fine curly hair because it helps combat dryness and restore moisture without weighing curls down.
How to Style Fine Curly Hair
Properly nourished and hydrated hair sets the stage for exploring various styling techniques that highlight your natural curls. Diffusing and “plopping” are two popular techniques, the first providing a more voluminous look; the second helping to define your spirals.
Here’s a bit more detail on each:
1. Diffusing: for volume
Diffusing is an excellent way to add volume to fine curly hair.
After applying your preferred styling product, use a diffuser attachment to gently cup sections of your hair, drying with a low heat setting.
This technique enhances the natural curl pattern and minimizes frizz.
2. Plopping: for definition
Plopping involves wrapping your hair with a soft t-shirt or microfiber towel to set your curls with minimal frizz.
After applying styling products, place your curls on the fabric, fold the sides inward, secure it, and either air dry or use a diffuser for quicker results.
Felicia’s top tip?
Styling Fine Curly Hair: These Products Are Your Secret Weapon
When you’re selecting styling products for fine curly hair, look for formulas that deliver the build-up free benefits, as well as hydrating ingredients that enhance curl definition and combat frizz without any greasy feel.
Ensure your products offer heat protection if you use hot tools, and go for light serums or sprays that provide hold without stiffness for natural movement. Avoid sulfates, silicones, and parabens that can dry out or coat fine curls.
Look for products, like Curl Wow stylers, with groundbreaking technology that actively nourish curls with natural oils by breaking down large oil molecules so they can penetrate deep into curls.
Here are some of our top styling picks:
1. Flo-etry: for added moisture
Flo-etry, our curl serum, moisturizes strands from root to tip for instantly plump, plush, juicy curls.
“Flo-etry is the first product I have ever used that never seems to weigh my hair down (and my hair is extremely finicky!). It’s like magic,” says Felicia.
2. Shook: for definition
The weightless polymers within Shook bundle curls without crunch, weight or stickiness for full, beautifully-defined styles.
“You can also mix a small amount of Shook & Flo-etry in the palm of your hands then scrunch into your ends to add juiciness back to any curls in need without sacrificing volume!” says Felicia.
3. Xtra Large: for volume
Xtra Large is our volumizer that has an innovative light, frothy formula for weightless volume.
Felicia says, “Use the Xtra Large Bombshell Volumizer as a primer underneath Flo-etry & Shook, then at about 70% dry, when your ends are dry, but your roots are still slightly damp, shake roots with another pump or two of Xtra Large then finish drying."
4. Money Mist: for luxe-looking locks
Money Mist is our latest leave-in innovation, designed for all hair types and giving you instantly stronger, glossy, expensive-looking hair.
It strengthens strands to support healthy growth and moisturizes + defrizzes for smooth, silky, luxe texture.
5. Dream Coat for Curly Hair: for glossy, frizz-free curls
Dream Coat is a “one and done” curl styling spray that moisturizes and bundles curls effortlessly with no weight.
It has the combined benefits of gels + serums + creams without crunchiness, greasiness or weight.
💡 Felicia's Top Tips for Styling Fine Curly Hair
- ✨ Style the top crown section forward and in an upwards motion.
- 🔧 Focus your styling products closer to the ends and mid lengths.
- 👉 Use your hands or a brush to create definition.
- 🤯 Scrunch with your head flipped for root definition.
- ❌ Avoid styling with heavy gels.
- 🕺 Shake your roots periodically to create volume and erase any parts from styling.
- 🌿 Separate your curls with a lightweight product for a more voluminous look.
- 🔬 Use hairspray, dry shampoo, or a texturizing spray, and then pick your roots to create lift (looser textures can gently tease roots 1-2x).
How to Maintain Fine Curly Hair
Beyond styling, maintaining your fine curly hair involves regular care. Here are some general lifestyle tips you can follow to keep your curls in good condition:
- Avoid Heat Damage: Minimize the use of heat styling tools. When you do use them, always apply a heat protectant spray.
- Drying Techniques: Use a microfiber towel or a cotton T-shirt to gently squeeze out excess water. Avoid rubbing, which can cause frizz. Let your hair air-dry or use a diffuser on a low heat setting.
- Regular Trims: Keep your curls in shape with regular trims to prevent split ends and maintain curl integrity.
- Protective Styles: Consider protective hairstyles like braids or buns to reduce manipulation and breakage, especially when sleeping. Use a satin or silk pillowcase to minimize friction.
- Detangling: Detangle your hair gently with a wide-tooth comb or your fingers while your hair is wet and conditioned. This helps prevent breakage.
- Hydration: Keep your curls hydrated by using moisturizing hair products that penetrate into curls and don’t pool up on the surface. Dry hair is more prone to frizz and breakage.
- Avoid Over-Handling: Try not to touch or brush your hair too much during the day to maintain its natural curl pattern and prevent frizz.
Additionally, Felicia recommends steering clear of tight hairstyles, massaging your scalp at night to reduce shedding and shaking your roots periodically to help curls that have settled.
Your Fine Curly Hair FAQs Answered
How Often Should You Wash Fine Curly Hair?
It’s typically recommended to wash it about 2 to 3 times a week. This frequency helps maintain the natural oils that nourish the hair, while preventing it from becoming too dry or frizzy.
However, individual needs can vary based on your scalp's oiliness, what products you put on your curls and your daily activities, so it's important to adjust as needed for your specific hair type. Visit our guide to washing curly hair for more information.
How Do I Add Volume to Fine Curly Hair?
Use a layered haircut to lighten the load on your roots, apply lightweight styling products, and try techniques such as changing your parting, diffusing with your head upside down, using root clips, or plopping your hair with a t-shirt. Avoid heavy products that can weigh down your curls.
How Do I Keep Fine Curly Hair from Frizzing?
Use lightweight, hydrating products such as leave-in conditioners or serums designed for curly hair. Make sure to gently blot your hair dry with a microfiber towel or t-shirt instead of rubbing it, and consider using a diffuser on a low heat setting when drying.
Additionally, avoid over-manipulating your hair when it's dry to minimize frizz. Learn how to tame and style curly hair without frizz here.
With the right care and styling techniques, fine curly hair can be managed well, giving you healthy-looking, bouncy curls that match your personal style.
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Read more curl care tips and tricks on the Color Wow Blog:
