How To Get More Defined Curls

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Cosmopolitan l Amy Armani

Here's the thing: I love having great hair, but I hate doing literally any form of maintenance work when I get home from the office. Like...I just worked, amirite?

My curly mop is kinda my thing (and TG because I spend more on highlights than I do on groceries), so people always ask me what type of curling iron I use. And while I like the idea of people in my life thinking I'm put-together enough to preheat a curling iron, um...use it, and remember to turn it off before I rush out the door in a whirlwind of pre-caffeinated fury, I actually rarely use heat styling.

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In fact, my curl routine is super lazy. Here, my tried and true methods for getting healthier, more-defined curls with little (to no) effort.

1) Stretch your wash days with dry styling products

Fun fact: Because your curls have natural arcs and spirals, part of the cuticle is actually exposed, which creates a direct pathway for moisture to escape your hair. Your curl pattern also makes it harder for the oil from your scalp to seep down to your ends, which...sad.

When you shampoo, you're even further stripping moisture from your hair, so the fewer washes the better (which means less work, btw). Instead, turn to dry shampoo and volumizing texture spray to extend the life of your wash and enhance those lived-in curls. Our picks below don't strip hair—they actually help keep curls hydrated!—so it looks (and feels) healthier.

Ouidad Going Up! Volumizing Texture Spray

This spray boosts crunch-free curls with manuka honey for definition, carob tree protein complex to strengthen keratin bonds, and raw silk for non-drying, touchable texture.

Ouidad Clean Sweep Moisturizing Dry Shampoo

This dry shampoo is formulated with ultra-fine, silky powders to absorb excess oil, as well as rose hip seed and mongongo oils to nourish and condition your scalp without leaving a hint of residue.

Ouidad Revive & Shine Rejuvenating Dry Oil Mist

Nourish curls with this ultra-lightweight mist packed with argan, walnut and avocado oil to add shine without dragging curls down. Plus, mongongo and watermelon seed oils hydrate hair to prevent breakage.

2) Try hair plopping

It just sounds fun, doesn't it? Well, it is—because it requires very little work and produces super bouncy, defined curls. Hair plopping is an air-drying method where you flip your hair over and "plop" it down onto a microfiber towel (which reduces frizz).

Just add your favorite leave-in conditioner, plop it down, wrap it up, sleep on it, and wake up to amazing hair. You'll see results instantaneously, but ditching your hair dryer will also improve the health of your curls over time.

3) Literally just don't touch your hair, okay?

The more you touch your hair, the more frizz is created. Once you've conditioned and styled your curls to your liking, do not touch it. Don't rake your fingers through it, don't shake it out, and don't you dare brush it.

4) Wash with lukewarm water

Hate to break it to you, but those steamy showers are destroying the integrity of your hair. A shower's heat can damage the cuticle (your hair's protective layer) and dry out your curls. Dry curls=unhealthy and frizzy curls.

5) Sleep with silk

Other than making you feel like a very rich, very fancy lady, sleeping with silk could be the answer to your curl woes. First, try sleeping with your hair in a loose bun tied off with a silk scrunchie. This will boost volume and prevent your hair from twisting every which way as it dries.

Second, switch to a silk pillowcase. As you toss and turn in your sleep, there's friction between your hair and your cotton pillowcase (even if your hair is up). Friction not only creates frizz, but is extremely damaging for your hair because it roughs up the shaft. The silk reduces friction tremendously for better curls come morning.

Consider tip five and a half just being kind to your curls. They'll love you if you love them back!

Holly Rhue Holly Rhue is a writer and editor in New York City.

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