Curly Beginner’s Guide: How to Dry Curly Hair

You already know that curly hair needs to be washed differently than other hair types, but did you know that curls need to be dried differently too? This is important in order to ward off frizz and maintain your curls’ beautiful, au natural shape.

How to Dry Curly Hair

• DON’T use a terry cloth towel. “A terry cloth towel will absorb too much moisture, which curly hair needs,” explains Lorraine Massey, author of “Curly Girl: The Handbook.” ”Its harsh fiber will ruffle the hair’s cuticle causing frizz.”
• DO use an old, worn t-shirt, paper towel or micro-fiber towel. Their smoother surfaces will be gentler on hair. Dry your hair by cupping it in your hand and gently scrunching upward. Do this around your whole head.
• DON’T wrap hair in a towel turban-style to dry. A hair turban absorbs too much moisture, opens the cuticle and disturbs the natural shape and pattern of your curls causing frizz.
• DO air dry. Air drying is best for curly hair even though it can take a while. After blotting hair with a towel, apply a generous amount of gel and then don’t touch curls as they air dry or you’ll disperse them and cause frizz.
• DON’T use a traditional hair dryer. If you don’t have time to air dry or the weather is cold, try a hooded dryer, which “creates its own little microclimate for curls so moisture from products locks into hair faster and the cuticle stays closed,” explains Massey. No hooded dryer? Then use a regular hair dryer with a diffuser on a low to medium heat setting. Look for a curly hair diffuser if you can.
• DO use the heater in your car if you commute. “This is what I do,” says Massey. “Because it creates a similar microclimate as the hooded dryer.”