Expert Advice: All About the Curl!

Whilst how they style their hair is your clients' personal choice, an increasing number of those with textured hair are opting to embrace their natural curls, coils and waves. To achieve the best results, whether it's through heat styling or air drying, professionals should use products designed specifically for curl pattens Type 2 (wavy), Type 3 (curly) and Type 4 (coiled). 

It's all about treating the hair correctly, as the experts at Alfaparf Milano explain:

“Any type of hair has the potential to be beautiful if you understand how to treat it properly.

Environmental conditions such as humidity and heat are key external sources of stress for our hair, resulting in frizzy, flat, dehydrated locks or a mane full of static electricity.”

“Products play a crucial role in managing and styling curls effectively. They help enhance curl definition, manage frizz, provide moisture, and protect hair from damage,” explains Abigail Butler for L'Oreal Professionnel. “Using the right products tailored to your curl type – whether wavy or coily - can make a significant difference in achieving your desired curl definition and overall hair health.”

Look for a product range that is formulated specifically for Types 2 to 4 by experts in enhancing these hair types. Several ranges have been developed by individuals who want to embrace their curls but have been unable to find products to suit coils and textured tresses.  In addition, existing professional brands have recognised the fragility of curly and coiled hair, creating new cleansing, conditioning and styling products specifically for this market. 

Urban Defence Pro Complex provides advanced protection against stress from pollutants, Shine Fix Complex from flaxseed extract adds shine for 24 hours, and Color Fix Complex acts as a UV filter to maintain hair colour longevity.

The collection comprises Enhancing Low Shampoo, Hydrating Co-Wash, Enhancing Conditioner, Enhancing Mask, Defining Cream, Reactivating Spray and Multi-Benefit Oil.

Alterna's My Hair. My Canvas. Textures & Curls line has been designed to simplify the haircare routine for those with waves, curls and coils using vegan and ‘clean' formulations.

Developed by the Alterna's curly-haired team members and stylists, products feature the brand's sustainably sourced Vegan Botanical Caviar, a blend of hydrating polysaccharides and free-radical neutralising antioxidants that smooth the cuticle and improve hair's moisture retention. Additional ingredients include Fairtrade Coconut Oil and Cocoa Butter, hydrating Kakadu Plum Extract, Moringa Seed Oil, Shea Butter, and ethically sourced regenerative Banana Flower.

The My Hair. My Canvas. Textures & Curls collection comprises Begin Again Curl Conditioner, More Butter Masque, Loosen Up Curl Elongator, Begin Again Curl Cleanser and My Way Curl Defining Gel.

Aveda Be Curly Advanced™ comprises seven products that cleanse, condition, prime and style textured hair. The range has been clinically tested on types of textured hair from 2A – 4C patterns for frizz protection, hydration, strength, shine and definition.

The silicone-free formulations have been co-created by Aveda's Global Texture Team and scientists and feature vegan peptides derived from hydrolyzed pea protein and vegetable protein. Through the hydrolysis process, these proteins are broken down into small, potent peptide components enabling them to penetrate and increase the strength of each strand of hair.

In addition, Kokum seed butter deeply nourishes and conditions while providing slip and detangling to help reduce breakage.

Clean Curls is a range of products developed specifically to simplify hair care for curly hair types with ‘clean' formulations made with 97% naturally derived ingredients. Products are also vegan and cruelty free, and free from parabens, silicones and phenoxyethanol.

To define and hold curls this summer, the brand's Super Shine & Define Curl Custard is a lightweight cream that also enhances elasticity for bouncy curls with shine and natural hold and movement. The custard is formulated with Aloe Vera Juice to strengthen hair and control frizz whilst styling. 

The Kevin.Murphy Killer.Curl collection is formulated specifically to enhance an air-dried look on uniquely textured hair ranging from 2A curls to 4C coils. Products address the common concerns of textured hair thanks to hydrating Shea Butter and organic Oat Milk, Avocado Oil high in fatty acids to protect the hair and Caster Seed Oil to seal in moisture.

The collection comprises Killer.Curl Wash and Killer.Curl Rinse which prep curly to coily hair ahead of an application of Killer.Twirls finishing air crème that not only defines and enhances all textures of curls with hydration and bounce but leaves hair feeling rich and luxurious. 

Repêchage^®'s Hydra-Amino 18 Hair Spa Serum is a lightweight vitamin oil featuring the brand's exclusive Laminaria Digitata Seaweed extract which contains 12 vitamins, 42 minerals and 18 amino acids. These act as building blocks of protein to help nourish stressed, damaged curly, coiled or textured hair.

In addition, botanical oils of Marula seed, Jojoba seed, Coconut and Safflower seed, along with antioxidant Vitamin E, nourish dry scalps and lock-in essential moisture.

Applied to the hair ahead of heat styling, this advanced formulation helps protect against heat damage and leaves the hair surface smooth.

Sachajuan's Curl collection comprises a variety of curl-enhancing formulas that help create and enhance and define natural bouncy curls whilst minimising frizz, adding shine and improving hair texture and manageability.

The range includes Curl Shampoo with Ocean Silk Technology and wheat protein to nourish the curl cuticle building strength and shine. Curl Conditioner defines curls with Ocean Silk Curl Complex to refine individual curls, sealing out frizz. 

For an intensive hair therapy on curly, coiled or textured hair, Curl Treatment is a wash-out formulation that also features Ocean Silk Complex and enhances hair manageability. When applied, left for 10 minutes and rinsed, it builds a nourished foundation to enable you to style soft, bouncy curls that last throughout the day.

Color Wow Curl Wow has been developed to deliver bouncy, glossy curls without any heavy or oily coating or crunchiness.

Products are formulated with 'Naked Technology', formulated with Profaxil-18 Complex™, a complex of polyols, 18-MEA and proprietary emulsifiers which break down the large particles in oils so that they can easily flow down the hair shaft and penetrate the cuticle. 

In addition, MEA-18 forms a weightless seal that locks in moisture and smooths frizz but feels dry to the touch. This complex is included in all Curl Wow products except Hooked shampoo. 

The Curl Wow range comprises Snag-Free Pre-Shampoo Detangler, Booked 100% Clean Shampoo with Root-Locking Technology, Coco-Motion Lubricating Conditioner, Flo-Etry Vital Natural Supplement, and Shook Mix + Fix Bundling Spray.

Created for all curl, wave and coil types, Bouclème offers a range of cleansing, conditioning and styling products formulated with active plant extracts and essential oils and free of sulphates and silicones. 

The collection comprises a wide variety of formulations that nourish fragile hair from the inside out to define curls, enhance hydration and add shine to hair that may be damaged through styling. 

Bouclème offers six cleansers/shampoos, five conditioners, five treatment products and nine styling products. New to the collection are Curl Defence Spray which protects against damage caused by heat tools, UV rays, pollution, humidity and brushing, and Flexible Hold Hairspray for flexible medium-to-strong, anti-static hold.

Curl experts at L'Oreal Professionnel Paris developed the Curl Expression line to deliver professional-level curl-care.

Products are formulated with curl-loving ingredients including natural origin humectant Glycerin for its moisturising properties; Urea H, a protective dual-action emollient that retains hydration and reinforces the hydrolipid barrier; and Hibiscus Seed, a natural source of amino acids and vitamins.

The collection comprises 10 products including shampoos, masks, leave-in conditioners and styling products. 

“One of my staple pieces to go to is the L'Oréal Professionnel Curl Expression Mousse and long-lasting Leave-in Moisturiser which is specifically designed for curly hair,” explains Abigail Butler for L'Oreal Professionnel. “These products are formulated with ingredients that nourish and hydrate curls, promoting healthier, more manageable hair.”