To Make the Most of Curly Hair

Your best cut: All curly hair isn’t created equal. The most flattering crop depends on whether you have loose waves or tight ringlets. Celebrity stylist Sarah Potempa suggests seeing a stylist who specializes in cutting hair dry. This way, she can more accurately see how your curls fall and snip accordingly. But in general “curly hair should never be worn one length, which can give you the dreaded pyramid effect,” says Labrecque. Also verboten is razor cutting, which can slash already fray-prone curls and leave them frizzier.

How to style it: Use hydrating shampoo and conditioner. The outer cuticle layer of curly hair tends to lift up; the extra moisture may help strengthen weak strands and prevent breakage. Next, add a nickel-size drop of styling cream (more if your hair is thick) to towel-dried hair. Then shape your hair into twists and dry it naturally or with a diffuser. If you want looser curls, finish by winding sections of hair around a large-barrel curling iron. It may seem counterintuitive, but this can straighten coils a bit.