Curly hair benefits from the natural oils produced by your scalp, which is why you need to be careful about how often you shampoo your hair. Over-cleanse and you may end up stripping those natural oils from your scalp and, therefore, your hair. But shampoo too little and your curls can end up limp and greasy. So how often should you wash curly hair? It all depends on your hair texture. Some curl patterns are drier than others and benefit from a weekly shampoo, while others require more frequent washing. Ultimately, you should wash and condition your hair based on how greasy or dry your hair feels, and use the following curly hair tips as guidelines.
Fine Curly Hair
A little bit of natural oil goes a long way for finer curl textures, so you’ll need to shampoo daily or every other day to keep your curls or waves from getting heavy or limp. Wash with a gentle shampoo formula like Garnier Fructis Curl Nourish Sulfate-Free Shampoo to cut down on grease, and always follow with conditioner to replenish curly hair with moisture.
Medium Thick Curly Hair
For medium thick curly hair, wash your hair every two to three days. A small amount of natural oil will help your hair texture look even better. However, as if your curls feel flat after sleeping on them or after working out, use Curl Refresher Sprayto revive curls and bring moisture and definition for up to 48 hours. Garnier Fructis Curl Nourish Conditioner cares for curls with a blend of macadamia nut, jojoba and coconut oils. Another post-workout option: rinse your hair with water, massaging your scalp to revive your curls in between regular washing.
Thick or Coarse Curly Hair
This curl type’s texture tends to be the thirstiest, so you can go longer without cleansing. Washing your hair once a week, max, will hold onto your natural oils as long as possible. If you need to refresh your curls in between washes, try a Multi Use Curl Oil, Curl Refresher, or a conditioner likeGarnier Fructis Curl Nourish Conditioner.
Once you figure out how often you should shampoo your hair, here’s the exact hair care routine to make the most of curly hair.
FAQs
For medium thick curly hair, wash your hair every two to three days. A small amount of natural oil will help your hair texture look even better. However, as if your curls feel flat after sleeping on them or after working out, use Curl Refresher Spray to revive curls and bring moisture and definition for up to 48 hours.
How often should you wash your hair if you have curly hair? ›
It depends on your curl type. Loose and classic curls can lather up two to four times a week. Coily curl types can co-wash weekly, and deep cleanse with shampoo once a month. Tight curls fall somewhere in between - shampoo or co-wash every few days to a week.
Is Garnier Fructis okay for curly hair? ›
The curl enhancing product we recommend is Fructis Style Curl Treat Smoothie, which gives hair soft, bouncy definition all over and controls frizz for up to 24 hours. 2A hair in particular benefits from products that enhance both curls and volume, too.
How often should you co-wash curly hair? ›
How often should you co-wash your hair is a matter of preference. Some prefer co-washing every single wash and don't touch shampoo at all; others will co-wash once a week and alternate the next week using regular shampoo. Some may only use regular shampoo once a month.
What is the correct curly hair routine? ›
Consistently use moisturizing products, including leave-in conditioning treatments. Use a wide-toothed comb or your fingers to detangle rather than a paddle brush and work slowly in sections. Avoid heat styling where possible — and, if you do use heat styling tools, apply a heat protectant beforehand.
Can I go 2 weeks without washing my curly hair? ›
Most experts recommend washing your hair about 1-3 times a week, but those with thicker curls and coils can often leave their hair for longer, with some recommending every 10-14 days. Coarser curls need the moisture from the sebum as long as possible, or else the hair can feel very dry and brittle.
How often should I oil curly hair? ›
For people with natural hair, dry hair or curly hair, oiling the scalp once or twice a week can provide the moisture that frizz and breakage-prone people with dry or curly hair need.
Which shampoo is safe for curly hair? ›
Best Overall: Curlsmith Essential Moisture Shampoo
It's packed with expert-recommended natural oils that promote hair growth without weighing down your waves—including sunflower, coconut, and avocado oils as well as super-hydrating aloe vera.
Which Garnier hair food is best for curly hair? ›
"Discover NEW Garnier Ultimate Blends Cocoa Butter Hair Food Multi-Use Mask for dry curly hair, now boosted with Vitamins C, E, F for your healthiest hair ever.
Does Garnier Fructis make your hair thicker? ›
The technology found in our shampoo, conditioner and leave-in hair treatment is infused with Blood Orange Extract and Biotin-C, a combination of Biotin and vitamin C. Your fine hair will look fuller and thicker for up to 72 hours.
The Curly Girl Method is a way of caring for curly or wavy hair using low poo shampoos (shampoo without sulphates) and silicone-free conditioners.
Can I skip shampoo and just use conditioner? ›
When you co-wash, you only use one product to cleanse the scalp of build-up and condition the strands of hair. Washing hair with conditioner only means skipping the shampoo, although many co-washers still use the latter occasionally to give the hair a deep clean and restore the scalp.
Do you put conditioner or shampoo first? ›
When should you apply conditioner? As it turns out, the traditional shampoo-first routine is still the best way to go. That's because we want to first remove any impurities or oil build-ups before applying a moisturising conditioner.
What are must haves for curly hair? ›
14 Must Have Curly Hair Tools in 2024
- Satin Bonnet. A silk or satin bonnet is another essential nighttime accessory for curly hair. ...
- Satin Pillowcase. Satin pillowcases are a game-changer for curly hair. ...
- Clarifying Shampoo. ...
- Moisturising Conditioner. ...
- Scalp Massager. ...
- Microfiber Towel. ...
- Detangler Brush. ...
- Wide-Tooth Comb.
Should I comb my curly hair every day? ›
Those with kinkier textures like 4A, 4B, or 4C hair may only brush or wash their hair once a week, while those with looser curl patterns may have a detangling session two to three times a week. A major factor in how often you brush your hair is the upkeep of your curls between washes.
What should I use daily for curly hair? ›
Daily Curly Hair Care Routine
- Pre-Shampoo. The first thing you should know about curly hair care is this: do NOT wash your hair every day. ...
- Shampoo. Choose a shampoo that's specifically formulated for curly hair. ...
- Conditioner. ...
- After-Shower Treatment. ...
- Hair Mask or Hair Oil. ...
- Drying. ...
- Sleeping. ...
- Styling.
How often should curly hair be conditioned? ›
Curls need essential moisture to maintain their bounce and structure, as well as to help control frizz and unwanted flyaways. Those with curly hair should start by deep conditioning once a week, and increase the frequency to twice a week if you're still not getting the nourishment you need.
Do you brush curly hair every day? ›
A good recommendation is to brush your hair when you wash your strands. This can vary based on hair type. Those with kinkier textures like 4A, 4B, or 4C hair may only brush or wash their hair once a week, while those with looser curl patterns may have a detangling session two to three times a week.
How do you keep curly hair healthy? ›
6 curly hair tips from dermatologists
- Only wash your hair when needed. Washing curly hair too often can leave it dry, frizzy, and hard to manage. ...
- Keep your hair moisturized. ...
- Take care of your scalp. ...
- Detangle your hair. ...
- Protect your curls from the sun. ...
- Care for your hair while you sleep.
How often should curly hair be trimmed? ›
The value of scheduling your trims in advance is that you are creating a definitive plan to maintain your ends, which will help to prevent future knotting and strand splitting. On average, curls should be trimmed every 6-8 weeks. You know it's time for a trim, when curls begin to knot easily.