Key Takeaways

• Understanding your curl type and texture is the first step to building a routine that supports healthy-looking, defined curls.
• Bond building and hydration are essential for curly hair, helping strengthen strands, reduce breakage, and improve softness and manageability.
• Caring for curls goes beyond wash day—small habits like protective styling, overnight care, and gentle drying methods can help maintain moisture and reduce frizz.

Jump to

• Curly Hair Types and Textures
• Putting Together Your Curly Hair Routine
• More Ways to Moisturize and Care for Your Curls

An Ola Guide to Creating a Curly Hair Routine

There are a few different types and textures of curly hair, and what they all have in common is the need to be properly moisturized and protected to thrive. Learn more about what it takes to maintain healthy-looking, strong, defined curls with this OLAPLEX® guide to creating a curly hair routine.

Curly Hair Types and Textures

While curly hair consistently needs moisture, each unique hair type and texture comes with its own curly care needs. Some curls are more prone to breakage while others can be easily weighed down. Find your hair type(s) and texture(s) to know how to give your curls what they need.

Type 3 Curls

Do you have bouncy ringlets or spirals? Then you might have type 3 curls. From a loop-shaped pattern to a spiral shape, type 3 curls need help staying smooth, bouncy, and hydrated.

Type 4 Curls

If your hair is coily with serious volume, you probably have type 4 curls. Whether your hair has a visible zig-zag pattern or tight coils the size of a crochet needle or smaller, type 4 curls need help staying moisturized, shiny, and strong to help prevent breakage.

Fine Curl Texture

Fine curl texture means each strand feels thin between your fingers and may be more prone to tangling or breakage. Fine curls still need hydration, but lightweight formulas and bond-strengthening care help keep curls voluminous, soft, and defined without weighing them down.

Medium Curl Texture

Medium curl texture feels noticeable between your fingertips without feeling coarse. This versatile texture holds definition well and responds beautifully to balanced moisture and strengthening. A routine that supports hydration and integrity can help maintain soft, frizz-controlled curls.

Thick (Coarse) Curl Texture

Thick curl texture feels substantial and coarse between your fingers and tends to be resilient and less prone to breakage. Thick curls benefit from rich hydration and bond-building care to help reduce dryness and frizz while maintaining long-lasting curl definition and manageability.

And don’t worry if your hair doesn’t fit perfectly into one type or texture—having multi-textured curls and multiple curl types is incredibly common, especially if certain areas of your hair are more damaged, dry, or exposed to heat and styling.

Putting Together Your Curly Hair Routine

Now that you know your curl type(s) and texture(s), you can pick the perfect products for healthy-looking, strong, gorgeous curls. 

Step 1: Choose Shampoo and Conditioner that Support Your Curls

Start creating your curly hair routine by choosing a shampoo and conditioner combo that supports your unique hair. 

For reliable curl hydration and repair, we recommend Nº.4CURL Bond Shaper™ Hydrating Curl Shampoo and Nº.5CURL Bond Shaper™ Hydrating Curl Conditioner. With this duo, you get the most advanced curl care powered by 3D bond repair for instantly strong, defined, lasting curls. No.4CURL and No.5CURL cut frizz in half—even in high humidity—ease detangling instantly, reduce static, and protect length over time for stronger, more defined curls with each wash.

If you have finer curls, we recommend Nº.4FINE and Nº.5FINE Bond Maintenance® Shampoo & Conditioner, which are clinically proven to strengthen and repair hair when used together. Nº.4FINE removes buildup to help volumize and lift at the roots at the same time as it strengthens and protects while Nº.5FINE weightlessly hydrates and nourishes, detangles and smooths hair, and helps build lasting volume, body, and bounce.

Step 2: Rebuild and Maintain Your Hair’s Bonds

We’ve seen countless cases of heat and chemically damaged curls brought back to life through OLAPLEX treatments. Curly hair has a unique structure that can be susceptible to damage without the right care. Rebuilding the bonds in your hair as an ongoing practice will ensure your gorgeous curls are ahead of the game. 

For in-salon bond repair, ask your OLAPLEX certified stylist for Bond Shaper Curl Rebuilding Treatment™ to strengthen, repair, and reduce breakage. This treatment also improves curl retention and controls frizz through 15 washes.

For at-home bond repair and maintenance, use N°.3PLUS Complete Repair Treatment. This powerful, clinically proven pre-shampoo treatment leaves hair stronger after four uses. Formulated for all hair types and all levels of hair health, N°.3PLUS is the complete bond builder to repair and strengthen hair at home by rebuilding all 3 hair bonds.

Step 3: Stay Moisturized

When you need to maintain your moisture, Nº.5LEAVE-IN Moisturize & Mend Leave-In Conditioner instantly hydrates curly hair and seals split ends. If you’re styling your hair with hot tools, Nº.5 Leave-In provides heat protection up to 450°F/232°C. 

For a weekly hydrating treatment, reach for a hydration mask. Finer hair types or those needing a lighter mask should choose the Weightless Nourishing Mask that provides lightweight hydration through five washes (on virgin hair) and instant volume that lasts all day. For medium-to-coarse hair types, go for the Rich Hydration Mask to lock in intense hydration, instantly reduce and protect against breakage up to 5 washes, and enjoy shine and all-day frizz control.

Step 4: Pick the Perfect Stylers

Once your curls are cleansed, repaired, and moisturized, it’s time to lock everything in with the right stylers. Styling products are essential for defining curl patterns, smoothing frizz, and helping curls hold their shape throughout the day. The key is choosing stylers that enhance your natural texture without weighing your hair down. 

For soft definition and frizz control, apply Nº.6 Bond Smoother® to clean, damp hair. This velvety, hydrating hair styling cream creates smoother, softer blow-dries and more defined air-dried styles without weighing hair down. Nº.6 tames frizzy hair for up to 72 hours and protects against breakage and heat up to 450°F/232°C.

To boost shine and softness instantly, use OLAPLEX Nº.7 Bonding Oil™. This highly concentrated, weightless styling hair oil strengthens hair to reduce breakage and controls frizz and flyaways for sleek, healthy-looking styles, all while providing heat protection up to 450°F/232°C.

If you need medium hold, grab Nº.10 Bond Shaper™ Curl Defining Gel. This anti-frizz curl styling gel provides optimal slip for bouncy, smooth, strong, hydrated curls, waves, and coils every time you style. Achieve crunch-free, frizz-free curls that last with this humidity-resistant formula. Nº.10 helps revive natural curl patterns with patented technology that strengthens curl-forming bonds in the hair for great curl days every day.

More Ways to Moisturize and Care for Your Curls

Supplement your curly hair routine with a few more easy tips and practices to care for your curls.

Do a Moisture Test

Check if your hair needs moisture by performing a quick elasticity test. Take a strand of hair and lightly pull from each side. If the strand breaks or shows no sign of stretching—it’s likely your hair needs extra moisture.

Protect Your Curls Overnight

Care for your curls overnight by sleeping in a protective style like a loose braid or by tucking your hair into a silk bonnet before sleeping. Silk or satin pillowcases can reduce friction against your hair at night, preventing frizz and maintaining the shape of your curls.

Air-Dry or Diffuse for Defined Curls

Let your curls air-dry or dry them with a diffuser on a low-heat setting to prevent frizz and add definition to your hair. Scrunch with Nº.10 Bond Shaper™ Curl Defining Gel before air drying or diffusing for hydrated curls and heat protection up to 450ºF/232ºC. 

With your new curly hair routine, you’ll be confidently rocking your healthy-looking, shiny, luxurious curls in no time. To learn more about your hair type, take our Hair Quiz and receive OLAPLEX curly hair product recommendations just for you.

Sources

1. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/hair-scalp-care/hair/curly-hair-care
2. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/how-to-sleep-with-curly-hair