Men with naturally curly hair often look stylish and energetic, leaving those with straight hair wishing they could achieve such a look. While it may be impossible to get perfectly curly hair without using products or curling tools, it's still possible to add volume, waves, and curls to straight hair if you're willing to invest the time and use the right techniques with suitable products.
Use a Product
Use Hair Gel. If you want to style your hair into curls, the best option is to use gel. No matter your hair type, simply applying a small amount of gel (about the size of a pea) to clean hair can help you achieve the desired curls. You can take your time curling your hair into sections or run your fingers quickly through your hair to create a slightly messy look.
After washing your hair, apply a small amount of gel to your hands and run your fingers through your hair, combing it from your forehead to the back of your neck.
Wait for about a minute to allow your hair to set, then wrap a small section of hair around a pencil.
Count to 30.
Continue curling small sections of hair until you're happy with the style.
If you're pressed for time, simply run your fingers through your hair quickly, letting it naturally clump and curl.
If you don't like gel that makes your hair stiff, opt for a softening gel that allows curls to form while keeping your hair soft and manageable.
Take care of your hair with Moroccan oil. A common method to achieve natural curls is to use natural oils to moisturize and strengthen your hair, giving it volume and natural curls. Once or twice a week, apply a pea-sized amount of oil to a plastic comb and evenly distribute it through your hair after washing to keep your hair strong and healthy.
- You can also wear a snug cap or tie a scarf around your head to keep your hair pressed down, allowing the oil to stay in direct contact with your scalp overnight. Once you remove the cap, your hair will naturally curl more easily.
- Olive oil and coconut oil are both plant-based oils with numerous benefits for moisturizing and encouraging natural curls. Using these oils will leave your hair soft, shiny, and help define curls effortlessly.
Use hair texture products. Texture sprays, often marketed to women, are also great for men to enhance the natural curl of their hair. If your hair has natural curls, this product will help define them, and if your hair is straight, it will encourage a curly texture. This product is typically sprayed directly onto the hair and can be used to soften hair follicles, enhancing the natural curl of your hair.
Try using curl-enhancing shampoo. While many products marketed as curl-enhancing don't always deliver clear results, some shampoos are specifically designed to turn straight hair into curls. This shampoo works best when paired with other curling methods, but it is definitely worth a try.
Ingredients to look for and avoid in shampoo
Look for shampoos containing: natural ingredients like oils (such as argan, tea tree, jojoba, almond, coconut, avocado, and camellia seed oils), olive oil, aloe vera, biotin, herbs (mint, rosemary, watercress), rooibos, fruit extracts, rice powder, and cocoa powder.
Avoid shampoos with: petrolatum, parabens, sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), DEA (diethanolamine) and its compounds, sodium chloride (essentially salt), polyethylene glycol (PEG), alcohol, coal-tar dyes (often listed on labels as FD&C or D&C)
Creating curly hair through your hair-washing routine
Brush your hair before washing. Brushing your hair before it gets wet can help make it thicker and softer. Whether or not you use shampoo, brushing your hair will prevent it from becoming tangled or matted, leaving it fuller and softer after washing. Brushing alone won't make your hair curly, but it's an important first step in the process.
Regularly rinse your hair. To achieve natural curls, you should regularly rinse your hair with water to keep it clean. However, don't use shampoo more than once or twice a week if you have naturally straight hair. Shampoo can dry out your hair and strip away its natural oils, which are key for maintaining thickness, volume, and curl. If you're looking for curlier hair, simply rinse your hair with water instead of shampoo.
Reduce the frequency of washing your hair. If you want natural curls, stop washing your hair so often. Regularly rinsing your hair with water helps keep it soft and removes dirt and oil, while still maintaining the natural oils that keep your hair shiny, soft, thick, and curly. Shampoo dries out your hair and over time causes it to become thinner, which makes it harder to curl. Washing your hair makes it straight, but rinsing with water encourages curls.
- Everyone has different hair washing needs. If your hair tends to get greasy, you may need to wash it at least every two days. If your hair is dry, wash it once a week or less, and rinse with water daily.
Air dry your hair. To achieve curls, avoid using a blow dryer or towel-drying your hair completely. The best way to let your hair curl naturally is to allow it to air dry, ideally overnight. Sleeping with wet hair will cause it to curl and tangle, helping to create the curls you desire, depending on your hair type.
- In short, if you want curlier hair, it's best to wash your hair in the evening rather than in the morning. If you're used to showering each morning before heading to school or work, try switching to an evening routine to rinse or wash your hair.
Get Creative with Your Hair
Using a curling iron or curlers. Women often rely on these two methods, but if your hair is shoulder-length or longer, using curlers is the easiest and quickest way to achieve curls. Roll small curlers in your hair overnight for tight curls or try drying your hair with a curling iron after washing for the best results.
Choose the right haircut. If you want curly hair, it's best to opt for a haircut that accentuates your curls. For men, this can be a bit trickier, but a haircut with a length ranging from short to medium is ideal for adding volume to your curls. Consult with your barber to get a hairstyle that enhances natural curls if you desire a more curly look.
- Try a pompadour style to give your hair extra volume. Keep the sides short while leaving the top long and thick to style and shape into a pompadour look.
Get 360-degree waves close to the scalp. Styling waves right against your scalp can give the appearance of curls even if your hair isn't truly curly. Achieving this look requires time and patience. By brushing your hair daily with a little pomade, you can create circular waves around your head. This style looks very bold and edgy.
How to Get 360 Waves
Cut your hair very short, close to the scalp.
After washing your hair, use a comb with pomade and brush it evenly from the crown to the forehead, sides, and nape for at least an hour each day.
Once you've finished brushing, wear a tight-fitting cap or wrap a scarf around your head while you sleep to maintain moisture.
If you consistently follow this brushing routine for several weeks, as your hair grows out, it will start to form waves. This hairstyle became popular in the mid-2000s thanks to rappers like Nelly. If done properly, you'll have beautifully curly waves.
Use perming solutions to keep your curls long-lasting. Perming your hair at a salon is the easiest way to get long-lasting curls. Although some people may not like the idea of spending money on a perm or using chemicals in their hair, this method is a guaranteed and quick way to get curly hair. While perming is often associated with women, it has also become popular among men nowadays. So, don't hesitate to visit a salon for a perm if you want curly hair.
Tips
- Consult with your stylist about specialized products and options that can help you achieve curly hair.
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