Wondering how to tame a curly man mop? Do you wake up looking like you were dragged backward through a wind tunnel? Greasers and scumbags aren't all straight-haired slick-backs. We've got the answers on how to style curly hair for men that won't leave you looking like a light socket mishap.
The Tricks to Taming Men's Curly Hair
Start by ignoring all the advice that straight-haired sources provide. The natural texture of curly hair is different — each strand has variations in thickness that make it curl up. Curly hair dries out and takes damage from styling, which is where the frizz and fuzz come from.
- Shampoo less often, about twice a week, with a good moisturising shampoo. Washing natural curls too often strips the oils that keep them behaving.
- Use a conditioner three times a week. On the days you skip shampoo, rinse with water in the shower.
- Get a wide-toothed comb for detangling and styling. Fine-toothed combs and brushes destroy the definition that makes curls stand out.
- Don't rough your hair up with the towel. Dry gently by squeezing it through, not rubbing. A microfibre towel absorbs more water and leaves fewer knots in the mop.
- Let curls air dry, or blow dry gently with a diffuser. High heat and high wind are a recipe for frizzy, damaged curls that refuse to chill out.
- Work a good pomade or styling paste through with your fingers. The hands-on approach pulls curls together and keeps them separate.
Short Curly Hairstyles
Short curly hairstyles are either bomb or bust. When your crop goes every which way, let that inner scumbag shine. You don't need a blow dryer or a fancy comb for short curly hair. You do need the right hair care product, built for flexible hold and however much shine suits your gig.
- Start with damp hair and work through with pomade or fiber paste.
- Go with a greasy sheen, a grimy matte, or a shiny wet-look product.
- Steer clear of blow drying and heat that fries the short hairs.
- Get a grip and scrunch each patch of hair, front to back, for a devil-don't-care wild look.
- Or comb straight back, then let the curls fall where they want with a head shake.
- A hit of Spray Grooming Tonic keeps it together.
- Get your hands wet for a quick finger comb refresher on the road.
Medium Length Curly Hair
Got that mid-range length, maybe with short sides? Short curls usually tame down with product and long hair weighs itself down, but medium curls scream at high volume. Volume is where the impact is. Not ready for full-on rowdy? Use a firmer hold to knock it down a few decibels.
- Get going with damp hair and a wide-toothed comb. Tangles out before you start.
- Pick a product with serious hold to get height on top, or a lighter hold to let it all hang out. Greaser shine, matte clay or an extreme hold pomade will set the stage and adjust the lights.
- You've got options, so choose the volume level and the direction. Comb up and flip out, or finger crunch against your head. Slick it back, or pull sections into messy bangs.
- For full-on wild-man mystique, hang your head upside down and blow dry with a diffuser.
- Finish with a light spray of Surf Tonic to keep each curl holding together while the winds of adventure blow by.
Long Curly Hairstyles
So you've got the locks, but do you know how to pick them? Long curly hair is an attention magnet and crowning greaser glory. If you got this far with a curly hair type, you've been doing something right, and we aren't going to let you down on the long road to dangerously good looking.
- Use a daily conditioner and towel dry gently by squeezing. Then comb through damp hair with a wide-toothed comb, middle or side parted.
- Grab a generous amount of Grooming Cream for light shine and hold, and let your locks find their own way. Apply to the ends first and work toward the roots, finger combing as you go.
- Or use Fiber Gel for a firmer but flexible hold that helps long curls stand up to wind, sun, and long stake-outs.
- When the day calls for tight control of your mane, try a man bun or half-down bun, where just the top half is wrapped up and the back flies free. Tie it off with a shoestring, and there's no shame in a bobby pin.
- For total control, use an elastic band and go with a stallion-tail. Slick down the front, sides and back with a pomade or hair cream to keep them from frizzing up, and finger comb the curls in with Grooming Cream.
Three Ways to Wear It
These are good tips, but far be it from us to limit your possibilities or choose your direction. Independent and self-sufficient, sometimes all curly hair needs is permission to rock your world. Try different options and combinations until your mop finds its calling and makes up its mind.
When it comes to styling curly hair, you've got three basic options:
- Slick it back. Comb back and grease up with pomade in a greasy shimmer or a matte clay finish. You're in control and ready to rebuild an engine.
- Let it ride. Turn your curls loose and sneer if they can't take a joke. Toss them and finger comb only — parts are for rule followers. Frizz is your only battle, and Grooming Cream with a Surf Tonic spray keeps it together without holding you down.
- Divide and conquer. Go with a long centre part and flowing waves of grungy glory. Or comb in a side part and toss rough curls off your forehead before you step into a street race or onstage for an encore. Choose a pomade hold and shine level that fits the venue.
Keep Your Curls Front and Centre
Men with curly hair don't fly under the radar. Keep your curls loud and proud with barbershop-quality tonics, shampoos and conditioners, plus the pomades and styling products to protect and proclaim your right to define your look.
Toss off the second-rate hairspray and fruit essence nonsense. Go for the good stuff and grease up those springs with curly hair products for men from Reuzel.
