While many of us envy a head full of bouncing curls, because curly hair is often drier and more prone to breakage than straighter hair, there’s no denying it can require a bit of extra TLC. From minimising frizz to enhancing curl definition, it’s all about finding the right products and tailoring your care routine to unlock your curls’ true potential.

We asked Shine’s very own curl expert Jake for his top tips on everything from washing and conditioning to drying and styling. Whether you're a curly hair novice or a seasoned styling pro, read on to make the most of your natural texture.

Wash days

As with any hair type, washing curly hair regularly is crucial for maintaining a healthy scalp and hair, and avoiding product build-up and excessive oil. It also provides a clean slate, enabling any styling products to get to work and produce better results.

But because curly hair is prone to dryness, over-washing can strip away the natural oils that moisturise and condition the hair and keep it healthy. How often you choose to wash your curly hair will depend on a number of different factors, including your hair’s texture and health and how oily your scalp is, as well as your lifestyle. But as a general rule, curly locks should be washed less frequently than straighter hair.

When washing, shampoo twice to remove dirt, debris, pollution and product build-up from the hair and scalp- this is especially important if you live in an urban area. Choose a shampoo that’s free of sulphates, which strip your hair of moisture and are too harsh for curly hair. Jake loves using Aveda’s new and improved Be Curly Advanced Shampoo, £30, in the salon, which gives moisture-starved curls an instant hydration boost, visibly reducing frizz and improving shine after just one wash.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate

When it comes to curls, hydration is key. After washing, use a nourishing silicone-free conditioner like Be Curly Advanced Conditioner, £34. Containing kokum seed butter and a hydrolysed pea protein, it’s deliciously thick and buttery and makes detangling a breeze. Use the palms of your hands to smooth the conditioner right into the hair cuticles, section by section, and then gently brush through with a wide tooth comb or detangling brush. Whenever you’re brushing curly hair you should start at the bottom, gently working your way up until you reach the roots. This will help reduce any snagging.

After washing, gently blot your hair with a towel to get rid of excess water- avoid rubbing as this exacerbates frizz. Using a microfibre towel or hair wrap rather than a cotton one will also help reduce friction and hair breakage.

Your refresh routine

To refresh hair and remove product build-up between washes, try the new Be Curly Advanced Co-wash, £42. Used like a shampoo, this product gently cleanses your hair and scalp without stripping and noticeably boosts hydration and enhances your curl pattern.

Prep and prime

Always apply styling products to wet rather than damp curly hair- the wetter the better. This will help boost curl definition and reduce frizz. After washing, Jake recommends applying Be Curly Advanced Curl Perfecting Primer, £34. Acting just like a primer for your face, this brand new product provides a base for the rest of your styling regime, ensuring any subsequent products perform more effectively. It also protects your curls from the drying effects of the sun and frizz-inducing humidity, so it’s great for the summer. Lightly mist over just washed hair to seal hair cuticles.

Style it out

Follow with the styling product of your choice, depending on the texture, density and quality of your hair. Be Curly Advanced Curl Enhancer Cream, £28, gives waves and loose curls weightless hold and definition, while Be Curly Advanced Coil Definer Gel, £28, is a game-changer for tight curls and coils, adding definition and shine with long lasting hold. Put some of your chosen product in the palms of your hands and smooth down the lengths of the hair from root to tip, section by section. Use a wide tooth comb or paddle brush to distribute the product evenly and separate out the curls.

Time to dry

When it comes to drying curly hair, use a diffuser attachment on your blow dryer to control and disperse the air flow more evenly. Stick with a low or medium heat setting for more defined curls and to reduce heat damage. Dry in sections for best results, lifting curls at the roots to add volume. Alternatively, if you’re not in a rush, leave to air-dry.

Once dry, Jake suggests shaking your hair at the roots to break up sections and create volume, before scrunching a small amount of oil like Botanical Repair Overnight Strengthening Serum, £42, into the ends to reduce frizz.

For more tailored tips and personalised product recommendations to help you embrace your curls, have a chat to your stylist.

What we’re loving this month…

Whether you want to be informed, inspired or just need some comic relief, you can’t beat a podcast to help your commute go quicker or accompany you on your daily dog walk. Whatever you’re into, there’s so much choice out there, but here are some of our current favourites:

The Rest is Entertainment

Hosted by Richard Osman and The Guardian columnist Marina Hyde, this is a brilliantly witty and interesting deep-dive into pop culture, chatting all things TV, cinema, books and journalism. The hosts have a great natural rapport and there’s just the right balance between showbiz gossip and genuine insight (have you ever wondered how an actor playing a corpse stays so still?)

Off Menu

Think Desert Island Discs but for food. Each episode sees comedians Ed Gamble and James Acaster invite a different celebrity, including a lot of up and coming comedians, to their ‘dream restaurant’ and talk them through their perfect meal. Stand out episodes feature the likes of Louis Theroux, Sam Campbell, Judi Love, Claudia Winkleman and Paul Mescal. Be prepared to howl with laughter.

Ghost Story

A blend of historical true crime and paranormal investigation, this podcast series follows journalist Tristan Redman as he delves into his family’s long buried secrets. Complete with a haunted house and a real-life murder, with a Hollywood connection thrown in for good measure, it’s intriguing from start to finish, and very addictive.

That’s all for this month. Book your next appointment with us online, by email or over the phone. Hope to see you soon!