10 Tips to Make Curls Last Longer on Your Curly Hair

Most curly girls know that juicy, hydrated curls and great curl definition will help their mane look its best, but many people don’t realize the importance of hold.

If you struggle to refresh your style every morning or have to touch it up throughout the day, your hair lacks hold. 

So, if you want to make your curls last longer and look great for two, three, or even four days, increasing hold will really help you get better results.

In this blog post, I’ll share ten simple tips that will help you increase hold and create a longer lasting style. These are tips that I use all the time, especially if I know that the weather is going to be rainy or windy. If I don’t really work on creating great hold on wash day, I know that my style won’t last 10 minutes!

So read on to discover the secret to making curls last longer on natural hair.

Tip 1: Prepare Your Hair Carefully

First things, first. Preparing your hair for styling will give you a strong foundation for great curls that last all day and beyond. 

The first step is to wash your hair with a suitable shampoo for your hair type, and stick to lighter shampoos that won’t weigh down your freshly washed hair. 

Hydrate your hair afterward with a light rinse-out conditioner, and deep condition your hair regularly with hair masks and deep conditioners to infuse the strands with extra moisture. 

You can also try using a method like ‘squish to condish’ or the bowl method to get even more moisture into your strands for better curl definition.

Tip 2: Use A Lighter Leave-In Conditioner

If you’re using a leave-in conditioner or curl cream as part of your curly hair care routine, try using something a little lighter than your usual product. 

Look for a leave-in conditioner with water listed as one of the main ingredients or a curl cream with a slightly runny consistency. This will add moisture into your strands, which gives better curl definition, but it won’t weigh down your curls like a rich creamy product. 

It’s better to use less of the product and focus it more on the ends of your hair. This will also avoid weighing down your strands and give better root volume.

Tip 3: Style Damp Hair, Not Wet Hair

Although you’ll get the best results from styling freshly-washed hair, styling wet hair won’t get the best results from your styling products. 

The water in your hair will weigh down your strands, elongating the curls. It also dilutes your styling products, so they provide less hold. So before you start styling, try and squeeze out a little more water from your hair than you usually do. 

You can also try micro-plopping your hair, where you get a microfiber hair towel or cotton t-shirt and scrunch your hair up towards your scalp. This removes some of the excess water from your strands. 

Applying your styling products to damp hair will create a stronger cast, and that will lead to better hold. 

Tip 4: Choose A Hard Hold Gel

No styling product holds stronger than hard hold gel, so if you really want to get the most hold in your style, a hard hold gel is the way to go. 

I really like Jessicurl Spiralicious Gel, which helps me create long-lasting hold on my fine hair. 

So, how do you identify a hard hold gel?

There are a few easy ways. First, look for words like strong hold, hard hold, or extra hold on the front of the packaging. Avoid anything that says natural hold because that won’t give the level of hold you’re looking for. 

Then, turn your product over and look at the ingredient list. If you spot terms like polyquaternium, polymer, or film-forming humectants like aloe in the list of ingredients, you can be confident that this product will offer plenty of strong hold. 

Tip 5: Try Layering Your Styling Products

Another top tip is to try layering your styling products. This is a great way to get more hold and better definition, but you need to bear a few things in mind.

Layering more products onto your hair strands will increase the weight on your curls, leading to reduced volume. 

It can also cause product buildup, so cleansing your hair regularly with a good clarifying shampoo like OUAI Detox Shampoo is essential. You’ll want to use a deep conditioner afterward, as clarifying shampoos are very drying and will strip the natural oils from your strands. 

I recommend layering products with more hold, like a firm hold gel with a texturizing spray or hair spray. If you want maximum hold, steer clear of products like a moisturizing cream or hair mousse that don’t usually offer as much hold. 

Tip 6: Diffuse Dry Your Hair

The next tip is to diffuse dry your hair instead of leaving it to air dry. That might surprise you, but there are a few reasons why diffusing helps your beautiful curls last longer.

Some styling products are heat-activated, so you will get better results by introducing a little heat from your diffuser. 

Air drying also leaves your hair wet for longer, and the water weight on your hair can elongate your curls. 

Finally, air drying gives you more time to fuss with your hair, and all that touching can quickly turn your curls to frizz.

Although a diffuser applies gentler heat distribution than blow drying, you can apply a heat protectant spray before you start diffusing to protect your beautiful curls from heat damage. You should also use a lower heat setting to minimize the temperature of the air that your hair is exposed to. 

Most people will find that diffusing their hair takes less than 30 minutes, but if you really hate using a diffuser or find it takes too long, there is an alternative option.

I recommend using a diffuser on your curls for 5-10 minutes, just long enough to get a cast forming on your hair. Then, you can leave your hair to air-dry until it’s 100% dry. 

Tip 7: Let Your Curls Cool & Set

Once you’ve finished diffusing your hair, allowing your curls to cool is essential. The heat from your blow dryer opens the hair cuticle, so allowing your strands to cool will encourage the cuticle to close again.

This sets the curl in place and gives a better chance of maintaining your curl for longer. 

I also recommend you don’t go outside or manipulate your hair for at least an hour so it can set the way it is.

Tip 8: Add Hairspray After Styling

Finishing products are the final step to achieving great-looking curls that last for days. And although you might long for soft, touchable curls, a firm hold hairspray is more effective for long-lasting curls. 

So, once you’ve finished layering in your products and styling your hair, finish your look with a spray of firm hold hair spray. This will lock in your curls and add a protective layer that helps reduce frizz. 

Don’t use too much hairspray. You don’t want to weigh down your curls and leave them looking flat. 

One quick note: hair spray contains fast-evaporating alcohols that can be drying. So, if you have dry hair, this tip might not work so well for you. But for most people, a light mist of hair spray is a quick way to increase the hold of your styling products. 

Tip 9: Keep Your Hands Off

I know it’s tempting to run your fingers through your beautiful curls, but touching your tresses too much is sure to make those gorgeous curls drop or turn to frizz. 

Once you’re happy with your style, leave it alone as much as possible to maintain your look for longer.

Tip 10: Protect Your Curls Overnight

Protecting your curls while you sleep is essential for great second or third-day hair. 

Tie your hair in a bun, braid, or high ponytail before going to bed, and wear a silk sleep bonnet or wrap your hair in a silk scarf for extra protection. You can also sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase to reduce friction between the strands. 

When you wake up the next day, you’ll just need to quickly refresh your hair for fabulous bouncy curls. 

FAQs

Still looking for more tips on making your curls last longer? Check out the answers to these frequently asked questions.

What Helps Hold Natural Curls?

Using a styling foam or firm hold gel will create a cast around your curls that helps them hold their shape for longer. This will prevent frizzy hair and could give you two, three, or even four days out of your wash day styling.

Why Do My Curls Keep Going Flat?

Your curls might be stretched out by the weight of longer hair or because you’re developing product buildup from heavy products. Visiting the salon for regular trims and using a clarifying shampoo once or twice a month can help with these problems. 

Does Mousse Help Hold Curls?

Hair mousse is a great choice to add volume and hold to your curls. It can also help bring out the curl pattern in wavy hair and define natural curls. 

The Bottom Line

Achieving great hold is one of the essential steps to achieving beautiful hair that looks great for longer. The secret to increasing hold in naturally curly hair lies in picking the right hair products, preparing your hair well, and using the simple techniques in this article.

Simply applying your hair products well and finishing your style with care will help give you beautiful, defined curls that look stunning for days!