How to Care for 3B Curly Hair

3B curls need moisture, gentle handling, and products that enhance your natural curl pattern without weighing it down.

Stop trying to make your curls look the same every day. They're not supposed to.

1. Wash less frequently. Shampoo once or twice a week maximum. Your scalp produces oils that your curls desperately need to travel down the hair shaft. Co-washing with a cleansing conditioner between shampoo days removes buildup without stripping natural oils.
2. Apply products to soaking wet hair. Your hair should be dripping when you apply leave-in conditioner and curl cream. Wet hair allows products to distribute evenly and helps define curl clumps. Work products through with praying hands or scrunching motions.
3. Plop don't rub. Wrap your hair in a microfiber towel or cotton t-shirt and gently press to remove excess water. Rubbing creates frizz and breaks up your natural curl pattern. Leave wrapped for 10-15 minutes to absorb moisture without disrupting curls.
4. Air dry or diffuse on low. Touch your hair as little as possible while it dries. If using a diffuser, keep it on low heat and low speed, cupping sections of hair rather than moving the diffuser around. Complete air drying takes longer but gives the smoothest results.