Essential Hair Grooming Guide for Curly-Haired Men

If you have naturally curly hair, just know that you have been given a unique gift. This type of hair is known to be bold, and dynamic, one that styles itself naturally. Sadly, plenty of men believe the lie that their curly hair is uninteresting. 

After all, for decades, the rave was all about straight hair. Thankfully, the scenario is changing, especially among boys. The Guardian discussed how men of all ages are now lining up to get perms, or low-maintenance waves, done. 

The outdated 80s frizz is making a comeback, which means it’s time to rock your natural curls. To keep them in good shape at all times, you need a clear and fixed grooming routine. 

Well-kept hair helps boost confidence, reflects personal hygiene, and contributes to a positive first impression. In this article, we will discuss the different steps (along with dos and don’ts) involved in grooming curly hair. 

 

Oiling 

As aesthetically pleasing as curly hair is, it is difficult to maintain. The different twists and turns in a strand prevent natural oils from efficiently traveling down the shaft. As a result, the scalp of curly-haired men is vulnerable to problems like frizz, dullness, and damage. 

The problem only intensifies in the case of those whose scalp is naturally dry. In either case, one needs to compensate for the lack of natural oils. Regular oiling of hair helps retain moisture and reduces friction while combing. In other words, the curls get more definition and the locks receive a beautiful shine. 

The New York Magazine shares that curly hair in general requires lightweight oils like jojoba and almond. They will moisturize the scalp whilst rendering a smooth shine. Depending on your scalp condition, you can oil your hair once or twice a week. If your scalp is extremely dry, you may have to oil your hair three times a week. 

 

Cleansing 

Any hair oiling procedure should naturally follow the cleansing ritual. You cannot let the oil sit for more than 30 minutes or an hour at most. This also depends on the current health of your scalp. For instance, if your scalp is dry, it will absorb all the oil quickly. 

Even if you leave the oil overnight, it won’t cause much of a problem. However, an oily scalp does not require too much oiling. If you leave the oil overnight, you may find that your hair follicles are getting damaged and the scalp is greasy. 

This often leads to clogged pores, which is risky since it makes you vulnerable to scalp acne and infections. An effective and gentle cleanser will ensure no oil or dirt is trapped in your scalp’s pores. Simply oil your hair for 30 minutes to an hour before applying a moisturizing shampoo. 

Choose a sulfate-free variant and gently massage your scalp to cleanse properly. You can follow this routine once or twice a week depending on how dry or oily your scalp is. 

Moreover, you can even use a clarifying shampoo regularly to remove any product buildup. If you find a cleanser with shea butter or coconut in it sans any nasties, you’ve hit the jackpot. 

 

Conditioning 

Conditioning one’s hair is a beauty ritual that has been passed down in some form or the other. This procedure is especially important for those with curly hair since this texture is prone to frizz and damage. 

A conditioner will handle the naturally drier curly locks and add moisture to them. It will also help define the curls, thereby making the hair more manageable. You must be careful to choose a good-quality conditioner that meets your hair’s needs. 

Yes, different types and textures of curly hair require different levels of hydration. For instance, a conditioner that works well for wavy curls will not be as effective for tightly coiled locks. In the latter case, the scalp’s natural oils are unable to reach hair ends due to the coiled structure of each strand. 

As a result, such individuals will need a conditioner exclusively designed to provide deep nourishment for coiled hair. Ideally, the conditioner should pack a blend of nourishing oils like jojoba, avocado, and safflower seed. If you use a non-toxic variety that has no parabens or sulfates, your hair will benefit from such a conditioner after each full-body shower. 

 

Styling 

Curly hair comes with unique challenges like frizziness and unmanageable strands. This is why every curly-haired man’s grooming routine must include a specific styling procedure. A well-defined styling routine will help combat dryness, prevent split ends, and keep the locks plump and shiny. 

Usual curly hair styling procedures include styling gels, leave-in conditioners, and scrunching. Undoubtedly, this routine can be changed every once in a while in case you feel the need to try something different. 

For instance, many curly-haired men desire to straighten their hair. The good news is that hair straightening is not something limited to women. Curly hair, when straightened, becomes longer than naturally straight strands, which opens doors for some interesting hairstyles. 

However, it’s important to choose a hair straightening method wisely. In general, the following three options are available –

 

Blowout 

In this method, a blow dryer and a round brush are used to make the hair straight and smooth. This process generally works best for men with wavy to mildly curly hair. 

The hairdresser sections the hair and dries each section. At the same time, a brush is used to pull each section for a sleek and polished look. Whether done at home or in a salon, this method of hair straightening is temporary. 

Additional products, including smoothing serums, heat protectant sprays, etc., may be used. They enhance the straightening and frizz control effects and may prolong them as well. 

The blowout is the one method that may work for most men. Even so, some men may find it easier to straighten their hair using this technique than others. However, you do need a good-quality blow dryer and concentrator nozzle to direct airflow.

 

Chemical Treatments 

The second option available to men involves the use of chemicals. These hair treatments work on the cortex layer of the follicle, which lies just below the cuticle. The hair straightening chemicals break the disulfide bonds present in the cortex layer and reform them when the hair is held in a straight pattern. 

This method is often called permanent but that doesn’t mean its effects will last forever. It only means that you may require hair straightening every four or five months. Chemical hair straightening is already a popular method among women, especially those from the Black community.

This method may be effective in relaxing tightly coiled locks, but it has led to serious complications. Many women have developed uterine cancer due to the chemical exposure. As a result, a hair straightener lawsuit has been filed against manufacturers like L’Oreal Paris, Revlon, etc. 

This is an ongoing litigation with over 9,500 cases filed till date. TorHoerman Law shares that some of the major chemicals responsible for the injuries are formaldehyde, parabens, bisphenol A, and cyclosiloxanes. 

As of now, the FDA has banned the use of formaldehyde in hair relaxers. However, the risks are still pretty high. 

 

Flat Iron 

A flat iron is a hair-straightening device that comes with two parallel plates. The surface is usually made of ceramic or titanium and hair is placed in between the two plates to pull and flatten out. 

This is also a temporary method of relaxing one’s hair. Again, this method is prone to significant heat-related follicle damage. If used excessively, you may experience issues like dry scalp, split ends, and hair loss. 

Also, your hair needs to be a certain length for it to work. Those with really short curly locks cannot use a flat iron as they risk burning their scalp.

 

Haircut 

No hair grooming routine can be said to be complete without a neat haircut that ties together all the previous efforts. You need to choose a haircut that offers an overall polished and refined look. Moreover, the same should align with your personal style and make it fairly easy to manage hair length. 

An unkempt look used to be glamorized to resonate with the craze for ‘bad boys.’ However, it only implies that one does not care enough about their hygiene and appearance. Now, your ideal hairstyle would depend on many factors, including face shape, personal preferences, natural hair texture, and current trends. 

For instance, if you decide to straighten your hair, a different hairstyle will be needed compared to when you let your natural locks cascade down the face. The Modern Gentlemen Magazine considers curly hair to be extremely versatile. This means you have plenty of hairstyles to choose from, including taper fade, Afro curls, slick back, buzz cut, and more. 

On days you choose to straighten your hair, try out the short quiff, the buzz cut, the pompadour, or the side part. These styles have always been trending, but they’re going to enjoy a special place in 2025. 

 

Important Dos and Don’ts to Keep in Mind 

That was all about what an average hair grooming routine for a curly-haired man would be like. Now, let’s discuss a few dos and don’ts you must keep in mind to ensure you get the most out of your routine. 

 – Do wash your hair only when it’s needed. Washing curly hair too often can leave the scalp dry and the hair strands frizzy. See what works best for you through a week or two trial. 

 – Do not condition only the ends of your hair. Since curly hair tends to be drier than straight types, it’s important to condition the scalp as well. For those with an ultra-dry scalp, a leave-in conditioner may also be required. 

 – Protect your locks from the sun or the harmful ultraviolet rays will further dry them out. Use a cap or hat when you spend time outdoors under direct sunlight. 

 – Do not attempt to detangle hair with a fine-toothed comb. First, try to remove any knots using gentle fingers. If that doesn’t work, you can move on to a wide-toothed comb. 

 – Do protect your hair while you sleep, a time when most of the tangling happens. This is especially true for those with long curly hair. You can use a satin pillowcase that reduces friction or tie your curls as per the pineapple technique. The latter involves tying one’s hair in a high ponytail using an elastic hair tie. 

 

Scientific American shared that hair is as unique as the individual possessing it. There is much truth in that statement; your natural hair celebrates your individuality and authenticity. Be it straight, curly, or somewhere in between, there’s no reason to alter its look frequently. 

Just keep the locks well-groomed through regular oiling, cleansing, conditioning, and styling. Your hair is your crown, adding a lot of dimension and character to your face. Maintain it and you will turn heads wherever you go.