The Ultimate Hair Care Routine for Curls, Coils, and Waves - Keep Your Hair Healthy and Gorgeous

August 14, 2025

If you’ve got curly hair, coily hair, or wavy hair, you know how much love and care it requires. Whether you're dealing with high porosity hair or low porosity hair, your hair deserves a routine that's tailored to its unique needs. When it comes to achieving soft, bouncy curls, preventing breakage, and boosting your natural texture, a few key products and habits will make all the difference.

Here’s the lowdown on how to build a perfect hair routine for curly hair that will leave your curls looking fresh, hydrated, and full of life.

First Things First: Understanding Your Hair - Curls, Coils, and Waves

 

Before diving into a hair care routine, it’s important to know your hair type and what it needs. It might seem like all textured hair is the same, but each type requires a slightly different approach.

  1. Curls: Curly hair forms a spiral shape and tends to have a lot of volume. The curl pattern can vary, from loose to tight, and each strand of hair twists around itself.
  2. Coils: Coily hair, also known as kinky hair, is tightly wound into small, spring-like coils. It’s dense, fragile, and often needs moisture to maintain strength and elasticity.
  3. Waves: If your hair forms a gentle S-shape, you’ve got wavy hair. While it’s not as tightly coiled as curls or coils, wavy hair care still needs moisture and a bit of definition. For the perfect hair routine for wavy hair, make sure to use products that enhance your natural wave pattern without weighing it down.

Understanding these textures will help you pick the right products and routine to keep your hair in great shape.

Curly Hair Routine: Steps for Healthy, Defined Curls

 

Creating the right hair routine for curly hair doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll see an improvement in the health and definition of your curls, coils, or waves.

1. Start with a Moisturizing Shampoo

The first step in your curly hair routine is cleansing. It's essential to use a shampoo that is gentle yet moisturizing. Opt for a sulfate-free shampoo that cleanses without stripping your hair of its natural oils. Aunt Jackie’s Oh So Clean! Moisturizing & Softening Shampoo is an excellent choice. It gently cleanses while leaving your curls hydrated and soft, making it perfect for curls and coils that require moisture retention.

2. Condition to Nourish and Hydrate

Conditioning is essential, especially for curly and coily hair, which tends to be drier. A rich, hydrating conditioner will nourish your curls and help prevent breakage.

Aunt Jackie’s Transform! Hydrating Leave-in Conditioner is ideal for curly hair care. It’s packed with moisture-boosting ingredients that provide the hydration your hair needs without weighing it down

3. Define Your Curls with Curling Custard

After cleansing and conditioning, it's time to give your curls some definition. For beautiful, bouncy curls, curl creams and custards are your best friends. These products help lock in moisture and enhance your natural curl pattern.

Aunt Jackie’s Curl La La Defining Curl Custard is perfect for this step. It not only hydrates your curls but also provides long-lasting hold and curl definition without the crunch. Its rich formula is ideal for high porosity hair, as it helps to seal in moisture and prevent frizz, giving your curls a soft, natural finish.

Try Protective Styles for Curly Hair Care

 

Protective hairstyles like braids, twists, and updos are your curls’ best friends. These styles help prevent tangling, reduce breakage, and shield your hair from damage caused by environmental factors. They also help lock in moisture, making it easier to maintain healthy curls.

Try Aunt Jackie’s Ice Curls Glossy Curling Jelly. It’s packed with moisturizing ingredients that prepare your hair for the protective style of your choice, whether it's twists, braids, or even a cute updo.

How to Detangle Curly Hair Without Causing Breakage

 

Curly hair is naturally more fragile, and detangling can lead to breakage if done incorrectly. Here are some steps to detangle your hair safely:

  1. Always Detangle While Wet: Curly hair tends to break more easily when dry, so it’s important to detangle while it’s still wet and conditioned. To make this step easier, apply a generous amount of leave-in conditioner or detangler. Aunt Jackie’s Knot On My Watch Instant Detangling Therapy is perfect for this, helping to smoothly detangle your curls without causing breakage.
  2. Use the Right Tools: Avoid fine-tooth combs and opt for wide-tooth combs or your fingers to detangle your curls. Gently work through knots from the ends to the roots to minimize breakage.
  3. Be Patient: Take your time when detangling your curls. Rushing through this process can cause unnecessary stress on the hair, leading to damage.

Extra Tips for Healthy Curls, Coils, and Waves

  • Moisturize Regularly: Curly hair thrives on moisture. Make sure you’re hydrating your curls regularly with leave-in conditioners and deep conditioning treatments.
  • Use Satin or Silk: Sleeping on a cotton pillowcase can cause friction, leading to frizz and breakage. Switch to a satin or silk pillowcase to preserve your curls and reduce damage.
  • Trim Every 6-8 Weeks: Regular trims will help keep split ends at bay and ensure that your curls grow strong and healthy.
  • Control Your Edges: Want smooth edges that stay in place all day? Use Tame My Edges Smoothing Gel. It gives your edges a sleek, polished look without flaking.

Your curly hair deserves the best care, and with the right routine, you can keep it healthy, hydrated, and beautifully defined. Remember, whether you have curls, coils, or waves, the key is to keep moisture in and avoid damage. By following these simple steps and incorporating the right products into your hair care routine for curly hair, you’ll see a noticeable difference in the health and appearance of your hair.

Check out Aunt Jackie's full range of products, including curl creams, moisturizing conditioners, and detanglers to keep your curls looking their best every day!