How to Make Natural Black Hair Curly in 5 Steps

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The trendy curly hair continues to attract and wow more natural hair enthusiasts into the fold. Learning how to make natural black hair curly gives you a brand new look with numerous styling options. It’s a simple 5-step process that you can do at home; we’ll show you how below.

Curling Naturally Black Hair: A Summary

You can’t go wrong when making your natural hair curly using these five steps.

Start with washing and conditioning your hair to prepare it for sectioning.
Section, moisturize and lock your hair.
Use appropriate hair products as per the method chosen.
Dry your hair.
Style as desired.

These five steps help you prepare, transform, and care for your new curly hair. Research and understand the different methods and how it suits your transformation needs before taking on the process.

Don’t be quick to start working before confirming how your hair texture fits your approach. These details help you turn and maintain your curly hair.

How to Make Natural Black Hair Curly

Before you start the process, consider your hair texture and its characteristics. Different hair types demand unique attention when applying heat or other hair products. For example, when going for curly hair, follow this step-by-step process.

1. Wash and Condition Your Hair

Wash your hair correctly using shampoo. Then, deep condition your hair to soften and maintain its health and pick on the moisturizing agents in the conditioner. Dry hair gets damaged when combing or during the latter stages of the transformation.

Ensure you comb your hair from the mid-shaft to the ends after deep conditioning to detangle the hair and increase its smoothness. Some people use leave-in conditioners, which help soften the hair when detangling it.

Whichever product you use, analyze its ingredients and let it align with your hair needs to avoid breakages and damage during curling. Don’t proceed to the next step without detangling your hair.

Softening hair eases the following steps: you won’t have to hassle with tough hair or split ends when twisting or braiding affects the results. Some hair experts recommend that you start your process with sectioning.

They argue that damp hair is shorter in length and takes longer to dry after applying your curling cream and curling your hair. However, it’s essential to shampoo your hair to keep your hair clean, softened, and keep it strong.

2. Section and Moisturize Your Hair

After washing, section, moisturize and loc your hair. Next, part your hair into different areas, which allows you to apply the curling products easily to your hair. Consider the curling technique you’ll use to know how you’ll size and part your hair.

Most sections are usually between .5 to 1.2 inches, allowing the moisturizer and curling cream to seal into the sections perfectly. Use products with moisturizing agents that’ll prevent your hair from drying out during the process.

Experts recommend that you loc your hair after sectioning to prevent it from unraveling when applying your curling product. Seal in the moisture using natural products to maintain the hair’s health and length, even after curling.

3. Use an Appropriate Hair Product

Choose your curling technique that determines how you’ll bring out the curls in this step. Use specific curling products to get curly and stylish effects.

Get the necessary tools and equipment you might need for this step, like pins, Flexi rods, rollers, setting foam, and your gels. Your fingers and hands play a significant role in ensuring you get your intended result.

Finger Coil

In this method, you’ll use fingers to create spring-like hair coils. First, apply a curling cream to sections of your hair. Then, twirl these sections using your finger to create a spring-like effect. Do this until you cover your entire head before letting it dry.

Flexi Rods

Apply a leave-in conditioner or setting foam on the hair sections to fix your hair for twisting. When using Flexi rods, you twist your hair around the Flexi rod before leaving it to dry and form the curls.

Twist the Flexi rods to lock in the hair in the Flexi rods before leaving it to dry. Then, if you can’t wait it out to dry naturally, you can explore other drying methods to hasten the process. Flexi rods produce large and bouncy curls with multiple styling options.

To variate these curls’ size, use straw sets to give a tinier curl effect at an affordable price. Be creative and look for a suitable alternative if you don’t have these materials.

Read Next: How to Use & Style Heatless Curls

Gel/Curl Enhancing Cream

Choose a particular curling cream that fits your natural hair needs. Remember, the goal is to make your hair curly and focus more of the cream on the mid and end sections for better results.

Reduce the amount of cream you apply to the roots of your hair. Use a wide-toothed comb when applying this cream to avoid detangling, leading to poor-quality curls.

Bantu knots

Bantu knots don’t need any other creams to curl your hair. Instead, twist your hair sections while wrapping the section against itself like a screw. Once you reach the base, lock it by tucking the end against the bottom using a pin.

When using this method with short hair, go for smaller sections where you can wrap and tuck each section easily. Long hair is more flexible and can work with different diameters.

Instead of Bantu knots, you can apply the gel to your hair before you twist or braid your hair. Then leave it to dry before removing the knots, revealing your beautiful curls.

Rollers

When using rollers, apply the setting foam on your hair and twist your hair firmly on rollers – just like in Flexi rods.

4. Allow the Hair to Dry

The next step is to allow the hair to dry. You can let it air-dry for a few hours or overnight, then unravel the curls. To quicken the process, use heat as a plastic wrap under a hooded dryer for around 10 minutes.

Thicker and more voluminous hair may take longer than 10 mins on the hooded dryer. Always your hair with your unique style before going into the hooded dryer.

5. Style Your Hair

After drying, you need to reveal the curls. If you use twists, braids, Bantu knots, rollers, or Flexi rods, slowly undo them before you start styling. When unraveling your hair, start at the root with a medium-toothed comb to comb your curls outwards from the roots.

This method gives your hair a curly shape and structure. You can apply oil or styling gel when styling to give it a glossy and stunning finish. Get the suitable hair oils that’ll leave your hair moisturized and your style intact for a while, usually a week or more, depending on your daily activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Woman putting oil on her natural black hair to make it curly

Prostock-studio/Shutterstock

Here are some common FAQs about making natural hair curly.

How can you make your natural hair curly?

There are many curling techniques in the industry, most of which you can do in your home comfort. For example, you can use a curling cream, braiding or twisting forms, rollers, or Flexi rods to curl your hair.

Are there any limitations to your hair products when curling your natural hair?

When curling your hair, ensure you use the correct type of comb at every step. A comb mismatch can mess up the process and reduce the curl’s lifespan. Use products with moisturizing ingredients to maintain your hair’s shine and health. Also, use appropriate curling creams for your hair type and texture.

How do you take care of your hair after making it curly?

To maintain your curly hair, use a wide-toothed comb for styling and microfiber towels to retain the hair’s moisture. Just pat dry your hair with the towel after washing to avoid messing with your curliness. Be keen on the type of hair products you use on your curly hair. Products with the wrong ingredients that let your hair dry out steal the glow and beauty of the curls.

How to keep your natural hair curly after it dries?

Use the right hair products when washing, moisturizing, and styling your curly hair. Ensure you use the moisturizer and styling oils to lock in the moisture to let the style hold for an extended period.

So, How Do You Make Natural Hair Curly?

By following these five steps, you are on your way to making your natural hair curly. You might have smaller hair partings if you choose braids, twists, or Bantu knots.

Other methods like using cream or roller can use more significant sections. Always consult your stylist to bring out the best in your unique curly style. Happy curling!