Hairstyles for Long Curly Hair

Woman with long curly hair — Photo: Jeanette Dietl/Shutterstock

I'm not a fan of puffy hair, but long, curly hair can sometimes be just that. Skip heavy-duty products like extra-hold gel, which are meant to control the mane. Instead, opt for leave-in conditioner daily to maintain moisture and use a headband or scarf to cover the top part of your hair while leaving the back free. Curly tresses can be fun; I often wear mine curly as it gives a more mature look.

Everyone has different preferences. For those seeking a smoother appearance for their long, curly hair, it's entirely achievable. There are products available to help control any puffiness, such as John Frieda's Frizz Ease. This serum works wonders for my long, curly hair, leaving it smooth whenever I desire. Simply dab some where needed and leave the curls untouched, as handling them can make them puffier.

It's perfectly fine to leave towel-dried hair pulled into a bun overnight after applying leave-in conditioner. Gather your tresses at the base of your head, twist them into a circular bun, and secure with a scrunchie. Wake up to wavy hair. If desired, you can add Frizz-Ease to any puffy spots in the morning after sleeping on it. Achieving this look is easy and takes very little time.

Although long, curly hair like mine may seem high maintenance, it's still possible to create easy-to-do, glamorous hairstyles. One glamorous yet simple style that I enjoy is parting already conditioned, towel-dried hair in the middle and braiding small sections (about 1/3 inch of hair per braid) on each side of the head. Secure each braid with strong-hold clips at the bottom. Sometimes, the clips will be visible, and sometimes they won't. Leave the hair in the back down and curly, adding serum where needed for smoothness over any puffy areas.

Another option is to wear this double-sided braided hairstyle with a high ponytail at the back of your head. To help the hairstyle stay in place all day, you may want to use strong-hold gel. After parting your hair in the middle, use a wide-toothed comb to neatly gather your wet hair into a high ponytail. Begin making 1/3-inch braids and secure each one with a clip at the bottom. The clips will show on the sides of your head, so choose ones that you don't mind being visible. Additionally, opt for durable clips to ensure the braids stay in place throughout the day

Another way to style long, curly hair is with a cute updo. Start by applying a strong-hold gel and using a wide-tooth comb. Avoid brushing curls, as this can cause damage and breakage to those fragile locks. Gather all of the locks into a high ponytail at the back of your head, leaving some tendrils on the sides and bottom for a romantic effect. If your hair is naturally curly like mine, there's no need for a curling iron - just let it be.

Photo: Halfpoint/Canva

People often compliment me on my curls that cascade just at the base of my head when the rest of my locks are in a ponytail! Secure the ponytail with scrunchies that won't disturb the hair, such as those without metal that won't tear or pull out tresses. For a stylish touch, consider adding a flower accessory to the top of the ponytail. Incorporating accessories or occasionally straightening your curly, long hair can help prevent boredom in your hair routine.

While straightening is acceptable, it's important not to do it too frequently as it can cause damage by breaking the hair and creating split ends. If you do opt for a straight look, remember to use heat protectant styling aids or shampoos and conditioners formulated with heat protection to shield your mane from damage caused by blow dryers.

You can start by using shampoo and conditioner specifically made for heat styling, then apply a straightening balm to the hair. Divide the wet hair into sections about three inches wide and use a paddle brush to straighten the locks. Aim the blow dryer downward on hair sections, rather than moving it up and down, as this can cause the hair shaft to become eroded, which is not beneficial for your tresses..

After blow-drying your hair straight, you can apply oils to it. Applying oils adds sheen and makes the hair look smoother. I personally use a straightening iron after blow-drying and applying oils, which helps the style look great. The entire straightening process takes approximately forty minutes.