5 curly hair tips

Anyone with curly hair has heard at least one person with straight strands lament, "Your hair is so pretty, I wish I had curly hair!" It's meant to be a compliment, but having a good curly hair day is harder than it looks. Good news is you're in the right place to get your easiest, healthiest hair routine ever. First, these simple tips will keep waves and curls looking shiny and strong. Then, advance to eight easy hairstyles you can whip out before the morning coffee's ready.

CURLY HAIR CARE TIPS

1. Always comb your hair from the bottom up.

Starting at the bottom allows you to gently detangle each knot, rather than compounding them all toward the bottom and yanking your way through with a comb.

2. Keep your ends trimmed to avoid split ends.

Split ends are never a good look (not to mention they can make your hair frizzy!). If you want healthy curls that look bouncy and fresh, head to the hairstylist every six to eight weeks for a quick trim.

3. Use product "cock tailing" to customize your hair care regimen.

"Product cock tailing is simply mixing two or more products together to meet your specific styling needs," explains hairstylist Andrita Renee. Her favorite cocktails: smoothing serum plus mousse, and coconut oil plus styling gel. Both allow for supreme hold without leaving your hair dry and crunchy.

4. Apply a conditioning treatment to your ends when your hair needs a little boost.

When your hair goes through a dry or dull phase, what you don't want to do is weigh it down with a ton of product. Simply use your fingertips to apply a dime-size blob of styling cream or oil to your ends, giving them extra moisture and bounce.

5. Use the "pineapple trick" to get defined curls overnight.

Pineappling is a technique in which the hair is loosely gathered at the highest point of the head, usually before sleep. This protects the curl pattern while helping your hair maintain natural volume. Simply take it out when you're ready to wear it down.