How to wash, detangle, and care for curly hair

Knowing how to wash curly hair can be confusing. Ask anyone with curly hair what their go-to routine is and they’ll probably give you a slightly different method than the last person you asked. There’s so much advice on a perfect curly hair wash day, it can be unclear where to start. Here’s our simple guide to washing, detangling, and caring for curly hair.

How to properly wash curly hair

If you choose to wash your hair instead of co-washing with a cleansing conditioner, it’s important to understand how to wash and dry curly hair without removing much-needed moisture from your strands. The first step is picking a shampoo that cleanses your hair and scalp but isn’t too clarifying, so won’t remove the hair’s natural oils. Dove Amplified Textures Hydrating Cleanse Shampoo gently cleanses while caring for coils, curls and waves. Pair it with Dove Amplified Textures Super Slip Detangling Conditioner for hair that feels beautifully soft.

Washing intuitively is the best way to avoid over-cleansing hair. Before you apply your shampoo, make sure your hair is soaking wet, emulsify the shampoo in your hands and then rub it into your scalp. Be sure to not rub your hair too vigorously as this can cause tangles. Shampoo and rinse twice for truly clean curls.

Next up, condition
Conditioning is all about rehydrating hair and sealing in moisture – a crucial step for curly hair. If you properly condition your hair after washing, you shouldn’t need to worry about how to detangle hair between washes, because your curls are more likely to remain smooth and defined.

After rinsing out your shampoo, apply a softening conditioner (or mask depending on how thick your hair is) to the mid-lengths and ends of your curls and comb through gently in sections before rinsing. Dove Amplified Textures Moisture Spa Recovery Mask works deep into hair strands, strengthening from within to reduce breakage for strong, shiny and protected hair. If you can bear it, rinse your curls with cold water to seal the hair’s cuticle and boost light-reflecting shine.

No matter how you choose to dry your curls, your post-wash routine should always start with a leave-in conditioner applied to wet hair. To finish, seal in definition with a curl gel or cream while your hair is still wet, gently scrunching your strands to encourage curl pattern without drying them out.