Getting well-defined curls is part science, part technique, and a whole lot of patience - plus a little bit of luck. Most importantly, it’s about experimenting and embracing trial and error as part of the process.
No matter your curl type, the right routine and products can make all the difference.
So, if you're looking for tips and tricks to achieve that definition, I’ll walk you through a step-by-step guide to everything you need to know - not just to get those curls popping, but to keep them defined for longer.
Here's what you need for beautifully defined curls:
1. Cleansing and Hydration
The path to well-defined curls begins with a good wash and plenty of moisture!
Use a Good Cleanser:
When it comes to cleansing, it all depends on personal preference. Some people go for no-poo, skipping shampoo entirely and using a co-wash, while others prefer low-poo, which means using a mild shampoo.
The key thing to remember? Your hair type determines what works for you.
If you have medium to low porosity hair, fine or low-density hair, grease-prone hair, loose curls, or certain scalp conditions, skipping shampoo (no-poo) might do more harm than good. Your hair needs a proper cleanse, and while shampoo sometimes gets a bad reputation for being too harsh, there are mild options that contain surfactants to gently cleanse without stripping away too much moisture.
Some great options include:
Your next question may be: is there a right way to shampoo your hair? Click to read our blog post on this topic.
Follow Up with a Conditioner:
Conditioner is non-negotiable for curly hair. It hydrates, tames frizz, prevents split ends, and makes detangling easier. A deep conditioner is even better! Deep conditioning can provide up to three times the hydration of a regular conditioner, reaching deeper layers of the hair to lock in moisture. The secret to this is in their penetrating ingredients, heavier formulations, and the amount of time you leave it on compared to a rinse-out conditioner.
Try the Aloeba Daily Conditioner or the Deep Conditioning Treatment, both from Jessicurl.
Try Clarifying:
If your curls aren’t looking the way they should, it might be time to clarify! Think of it as a reset button for your hair—removing buildup and giving your curls a fresh start.
And if you live in a hard water area, go for a chelating shampoo like Malibu C's Hard Water Wellness Shampoo. It’s a clarifying shampoo but specifically formulated to remove mineral buildup, which can weigh your curls down and make them lose definition.
2. Apply Products to Soaking Wet Hair
The amount of water in your curls can make a huge difference when it comes to definition. Many curlies swear by applying styling products to soaking wet hair—and for good reason! It helps with clumping, reduces frizz, and ensures even product distribution, all of which enhance curl formation.
The trick is to experiment with different levels of water in your hair to find what works best for you and gives you the results you're looking for. You could even try applying your styling products before you get out of the shower, so your hair has maximum water in it!
3. Choose the Right Stylers
Styling products work best when applied in a specific order, typically starting with a conditioning or defining styler, followed by a hold styler. A finishing styler is optional but can help lock everything in place.
Conditioning or Defining Stylers
These products provide long-lasting moisture but don’t offer much hold.
This includes:
Leave-in Conditioners
Leave-in conditioners help keep your hair moisturized all day.
Best for: Everyone! But if you have high-porosity, dry, or damaged hair—or medium to thick-density curls—you will benefit from this the most.
Great leave-ins to try:
Curl Enhancers (Creams, Custards & Activators)
These help define your curl pattern while providing light to moderate hold.
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Curl Creams – Light conditioning with a soft hold.
Best for: Low to medium-porosity hair, fine to medium-density curls.
Try: Boucleme Curl Cream, or Bounce Curl Avocado & Rose Oil Clump and Define Cream. -
Custards – Moisturizing with a gel-like hold, making them great "one-and-done" products if you want to keep your routine extra simple.
Best for: Medium to high-density curls, high-porosity hair needing both moisture and hold.
Try: Aunt Jackie's Curl La La Defining Curl Custard, Uncle Funky’s Daughter Curly Magic, Camille Rose Curl Maker, or Curlsmith Curl Defining Styling Soufflé. -
Curl Enhancers or Activators – Bring out curl patterns and can even tighten curls, often containing ingredients like magnesium sulphate or proteins.
Best for: Medium to high-porosity hair, curls needing extra definition.
Try: AG Re: Coil Curl Activator.
Hold Stylers
Hold stylers help keep your curls in place while minimizing frizz.
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Foams/Mousses: Light hold, adds volume and definition.
Best for: Fine hair, low-density curls, wavy hair, or anyone who prefers a soft, bouncy hold.
Try: The Doux Mousse Def Texture Foam, or Innersense I Create Lift Volumizing Foam. -
Curl Custards (again!): Provide moisture and hold, great for medium to high-density curls. You can use a custard on top of one of the other moisturizing stylers as a hold styler.
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Gels: These are the strongest in the hold game, providing long-lasting definition! Best for: Medium to high-density hair, high-porosity curls, or anyone wanting a long-lasting style. Try: Jessicurl Spiralicious, Ouidad Advanced Climate Control, Curlsmith In-Shower Style Fixer, or Innersense I Create Hold.
Finishing Stylers
These stylers are the perfect finishing touch, sealing in all the layers you've applied. This category includes hairsprays, oils, and serums—each working to keep your curls defined, frizz-free, and long-lasting.
4. Your Styling Technique Matters!
How you apply your products, the order you use them, and method, play a big role in achieving the results you want. The good news? There are plenty of styling techniques to choose from, and they’re not as complicated as they sound!
Here are are some of my favourites:
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Raking Method – Using your fingers like a rake, you distribute products evenly through your hair.
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Praying Hands Technique – Smooths products onto your hair by pressing your palms together in a praying motion, encouraging curl clumping.
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Brush Styling – Uses a brush to create smooth, defined curl spirals. This one can be tricky, but using the right brush makes all the difference—the Bounce Curl Define EdgeLift Brush is a game-changer!
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Scrunching – Involves cupping a section of hair and gently squeezing it upward to enhance curl formation and definition.
5. Stop Touching Your Hair
It can be a little difficult to keep your hands from constantly touching your hair, but you have to if you want long-lasting definition! Once you’ve worked those products into your hair, resist the urge to touch your curls while they dry. If you don’t, you’ll only be inviting frizz and disrupting your hard-earned definition.
6. Try Diffusing
How you dry your curls matters in getting those defined curls and keeping them for longer. You can either air-dry or diffuse, but when done right, diffusing can give you some of the best definition!
Our Curl Warehouse Great Big Diffuser also helps cut down on your drying time due to its size.
A few diffusing tips to keep in mind:
- Start at the roots and leave the ends for the end to prevent shrinkage, frizz, and undefined curls.
- When using the hovering technique, be sure to incorporate some movement—don’t spend the entire time diffusing with your head upside down.
- Pixie diffusing can be great (you can look this up on YouTube), but be careful you aren't smushing your curls into irregular shapes while you're drying.
If you want to try diffusing without a diffuser, there are a few home alternatives you can experiment with too.
7. Scrunch Out the Cast!
Gels often leave a crunchy cast that helps lock curls in place once your hair has dried. This is where you should scrunch out the cast—softening the hold just enough for touchable curls while keeping definition intact.
You can do this by cupping your curls in sections, gently squeezing, and repeating until the cast disappears. For an extra boost, try scrunching with a lightweight oil or serum.
Need help or a personalized product recommendation for your best definition yet? Feel free to send us an email at products@curlwarehouse.com or visit us in-store!
