Want to upgrade your hairstyle with some natural-looking waves or ringlets?
This guide covers proven techniques for men to enhance, define, and maintain fabulous curly locks.
Curly hair makes a statement, showing off texture that catches eyes. The right curly style can also balance out a longer or shorter cut. If your straight hair feels a bit blah, try these tips to add bounce and body.
The Appeal of Curly Hair for Men
Before jumping in, let’s discuss why curly hairstyles get so much love in the first place. There are many attractive benefits that explain their popularity:
- Texture – Adds depth and dimension, especially on shorter cuts.
- Volume – Curly hair tends to seem fuller.
- Movement – Bouncy, buoyant ringlets have fluid shape.
- Softness – Curls create a softer finish around facial features.
- Interest – Curly hair brings an element of the unexpected.
So if you feel your straight hair is too flat or lifeless, embrace those natural textures !
Using Products
Temporary Styling Products
If you just want to temporarily add curls or waves to straight hair, products paired with heat/air drying is the solution. This will reshape and define texture that lasts 1-3 days typically. Useful options include :
Sea Salt Sprays
These spritzes combine sea salt with conditioning agents. Mist through damp hair, scrunch, then air dry for beachy, textured waves. They add gritty texture that helps curl formation.
Styling Creams or Gels
After showering, work a styling cream or gel evenly from roots to ends. Twist locks around your fingers or use rollers while still wet. Air drying sets the curls in place with flexible hold.
Hot Rollers
Using hot rollers while hair is still damp gives tighter, bouncier curls than air drying alone. Roll 1-2 inch sections of hair on the heated rollers, leaving on until fully cooled and set.
Air Drying Tips
However, you apply products, air drying always works best to lock in curly shapes. Be patient and let hair fully dry without disturbing it. Flip heads upside down for lift at the roots as hair dries for added body.
The right styling products make it easy for guys with stick-straight hair to enjoy curly styles for a few days at a time. Experiment to find your favorites !
Keep Your Hair Moisturized
One of the biggest complaints about curly hair is dryness and frizz. Be sure to provide moisture to keep those locks hydrated and defined :
- Use a hydrating shampoo and silicone-free conditioner made for curly hair.
- Once a week, apply a deep conditioning hair mask.
- Try a leave-in conditioner spray after showering to boost moisture.
- In dry weather, avoid shampooing as often and use extra conditioning products.
Keeping curly hair well-nourished prevents parched, frizzy results. The above tips ensure your curls stay smooth and bouncy.
Opt for a Perm
Opt for a Professional Perm For guaranteed long-lasting curly or wavy hair, consider getting a perm from a salon stylist. This uses chemicals to permanently rearrange the internal hair structure.
How Do Perms Work ?
The perming solution breaks down the bonds in hair strands. Then neutralizers cause the hair to set and take shape around perm rods, making straight hair curly permanently.
Perm Consultation
Schedule a consultation first to discuss hair type, perm rod size, desired results, etc. This ensures the service will hold well and look natural for your hair.
Maintaining Permed Curls
Keep permed hair strong by using conditioning and moisturizing products. Get trims regularly to allow curls to form as new growth comes in.
While more commitment than temporary styling, a perm promises reliable, low-maintenance curly hair.
Training Curls With Washing
Believe it or not, the way you wash your hair can encourage curl formation. Here are some tips:
- Shampoo in sections for full coverage. Rinse and repeat if needed.
- Apply conditioner upside down from roots to ends. Let sit a few minutes.
- Flip hair upright and rinse conditioner out upside down as well using cool water.
Washing and rinsing hair flipped upside down reduces weight, allowing the strands to form curl shapes more easily. OVER time, it trains the hair to hold a curly pattern.
So pay attention to your washing techniques – it makes a difference in curl development!
Getting Creative
If you don’t have specific styling products, get creative! Many household items can be used to curl hair temporarily:
- Sock Bun – Cut the toe off a clean sock. Roll longer hair into a bun shape and secure with the sock piece.
- Paper Towel Twists – Twist damp sections of hair around paper towel rolls. Air dry.
- Straw Curls – Wrap hair around drinking straws, stick ends to hold, and air dry.
- Tin Foil Trick – Sandwich hair tightly between sheets of tin foil, crimp closed, then dip in warm (not hot) water.
These unexpected methods provide effortless curls using common items found at home!
It never hurts to think outside the box. Give these unexpected curling tricks a try when styling products aren’t handy.
Getting creative with household curling tricks adds more great tips for temporarily styling straight hair into curly shapes.
