Model with red curly 4c hair Model with red curly 4c hair

5 Easy Methods for Achieving Soft Curls

Dreaming of soft, bouncy curls? You're in the right place! Getting soft curls is easier than you think. The secret? Keep your curls hydrated and banish crunchy hair. Whether you have short, medium, or long curly hair, these styling techniques will give you the smooth, defined, and manageable curls you desire.

Rake & Shake with a Conditioning Styling Product
The L.O.C. Method to Create Soft Curls
The Praying Hands Method for Soft Curly Hair
Co-washing for Hydrated Soft Curls
Plopping to Beat the Frizz
01
Rake & Shake with a Conditioning Styling Product
This is a fun method for putting the bounce in your natural curl pattern. First, apply a lightweight hair styling product with some glide and work in sections as wide as your hand. Gently finger-rake your hair from root to tip a few times, then grasp the ends and shake your hand back and forth. This technique separates curls and relaxes any crunchiness for super soft curls. It can amp up definition on damp hair with a slick product like Curl Sculpt Conditioning Cream Gel and add body to dry hair with a creamier texture like Curl Nourish Butter Cream Treatment.
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Garnier Fructis
Curl Shine Conditioning Jelly
Curl Shine Conditioning Jelly
02
The L.O.C. Method to Create Soft Curls
L.O.C. stands for the order in which to apply post-shower curly hair products: 1. Leave-in conditioner, 2. Oil, 3. Cream. This layering technique softens curly hair with lasting moisture while providing definition. After washing and conditioning, style with a leave-in conditioner like Curl Nourish Butter Cream, then apply a nourishing oil like Moroccan Sleek Smoothing Oil or Curl Multi-Use Oil. Finish with a hydrating curl-defining cream like Curl Sculpt Conditioning Cream Gel. Browse our Curl Nourish collection for the full line of curl-loving products.
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Garnier Fructis
Curl Nourish Curl Air Dry Cream
Curl Nourish Curl Air Dry Cream
03
The Praying Hands Method for Soft Curly Hair
Soft curls are guaranteed with this simple styling technique because it evenly distributes your curly hair treatment. It works with any leave-in conditioner, gel, or cream—even mousse. Rub the product between your hands and work in sections. Starting at the top, keep your palms together as you slide them down to the tips. If using a spray like Fructis Curl Shape Spray Gel, spritz some into your palm first. This technique also smooths dry hair using a hair oil like Curl Multi-Use Oil.
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Garnier Fructis
Curl Shape Defining Spray Gel
Curl Shape Defining Spray Gel
04
Co-washing for Hydrated Soft Curls
Co-washing is a method that deeply hydrates for seriously soft curly hair. It boosts moisture levels by washing with conditioner instead of shampoo, which can strip too many natural oils. Conditioners like Curl Nourish Conditioner and Triple Nutrition Conditioner are good options because they gently cleanse (read more about how much cleansing curls need). Apply the conditioner from the ends upwards. Then detangle, rinse, and style to reveal bouncy soft curls.
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Garnier Fructis
Curl Nourish Conditioner
Curl Nourish Conditioner
05
Plopping to Beat the Frizz
This is an anti-frizz hair drying method where you wrap up your curls after a shower, preferably overnight using a leave-in treatment like Curl Nourish Air Dry Cream. In this technique, soft curls come from soft fabric like a cotton T-shirt, microfiber towel, silk scarf, or satin pillowcase. Remove the wrap in the morning when your hair is almost dry. Now that you know how to get soft curls with plopping, see our detailed plopping tutorial and read up on seven more ways to fight the frizz.
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Garnier Fructis
Curl Nourish Curl Air Dry Cream
Curl Nourish Curl Air Dry Cream

FAQ

What makes curly hair soft and silky?
Silky soft curly hair is the result of healthy hair fibers that are properly nourished and hydrated. We recommend adopting a hair care routine and applying techniques that are specifically intended for curly hair. Specially formulated hair products like Curl Nourish will also make a big difference.
How do you keep your curls soft and not crunchy?
You can get soft curls and stop crunchy hair by focusing on deep moisture at every step of your hair care routine. Try the methods described in this article and avoid styling products that flake and/or crunch when dry.
How do you add moisture to curly hair?
Use moisturizing shampoo and conditioner (or the plopping technique above), preferably ones formulated for curly hair. Gently towel dry and skip the blow dryer whenever possible. After the shower, try to L.O.C. method detailed above for lasting soft curls.

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