Do you feel like you’re struggling with inconsistent results, frizz, dryness, or dullness in your hair—especially in our dry Colorado climate? Caring for curls isn’t about striving for perfection, but it is about finding a consistent routine that gives you results you can count on.

My honest opinion as a curly hair specialist is that the imperfection in our curls is what makes them so amazing, and there is no set of “one-size-fits-all” tips to perfect your curls. Having healthy curls isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing the right things consistently.

Some things I am moving away from in 2026 are overcomplicated routines, product overconsumption, ignoring scalp health, and not finding products catered to my unique hair type. The reason I specify hair type, as opposed to just curl type, is because I believe in a combination of factors that make your hair unique:

Your hair type: (fine/soft, medium, or coarse)
Your curl pattern: (wavy, curly, coily)
Your density: (thin, medium, thick)
Your porosity: (low, medium, high)

These factors should guide your decisions when it comes to choosing products and styling techniques for your natural hair.

Here Are My Top Tips For Healthier Curls In 2026:

1: Prioritize Your Scalp Health (The Foundation for Healthy Curls)

This is one of the most common things I see people miss when caring for their curls. For years, the messaging has been that over-cleansing curls will make them dry. To a degree, this is true—but this advice has caused the pendulum to swing into chronic buildup.

Buildup on the scalp can contribute to underlying conditions like dandruff and irritation, and it can interfere with the environment your hair follicles need to grow healthy hair.

My favorite way to care for my scalp is by incorporating ingredients like peppermint, tea tree, menthol, and rosemary. Not only do these feel amazing and cooling, but they also help stimulate blood flow to the scalp, which supports healthier hair growth and overall scalp function. That boost in circulation can also help reduce itchiness and inflammation. Tea tree oil is naturally antimicrobial and antifungal, helping to reduce buildup, excess oil, and flakes while keeping the scalp balanced.

My best tip for incorporating these ingredients is to use a treatment shampoo or scalp scrub up to once per week. Lately, I’ve been loving the Innersense Hair Renew Scalp Hairbath—it’s easy to use and I follow it up with my regular shampoo and conditioner. If you struggle with buildup, the True Enlightenment Scalp Scrub from Innersense is amazing.

In short, my rule of thumb is: if your scalp feels itchy, irritated, or off—it’s probably time for a good cleanse.

2: Simplify Your Curly Hair Product Routine - Use Fewer, Better Products

As we all know, the minute you tell your algorithm you have curly hair, you start getting bombarded with ads claiming their product is life-changing. Many of my clients at my Denver salon (myself included) joke about having way too many products.

What I’ve learned over the years is that a good routine isn’t about quantity—it’s about quality. A solid regimen includes:

A clarifying or deep cleansing shampoo (occasional use)
A regular shampoo and conditioner (ideally sulfate- and silicone-free)
1–3 styling products depending on your hair’s needs

If you find products that work well, there’s no reason to constantly switch. The more consistent your routine is, the easier it becomes to understand what your hair needs and how it responds.

One thing that helped me let go of excess product was paying attention to expiration dates. On most packaging, you’ll see a small jar symbol with a number like 12 or 18—that’s how many months the product is good for after opening. If it’s well past its prime, I toss it. Now, my goal is to only buy something new when I’ve used up the last one. It’s better for your hair and reduces waste.

3: Refine Your Wash Day Technique

Great hair is truly a combination of using the right products and the right technique.

It starts in the shower—slow down. Think of shampooing like brushing your teeth: you want to get every area. Front, back, and sides. If your first shampoo doesn’t feel fully effective, go in for a second cleanse.

When conditioning, focus on mid-lengths to ends and add a bit of water to help with distribution. Use an in-shower brush like the Unbrush or Wet Brush to evenly detangle.

When applying curly hair styling products, my general rule is:

Cream-based products: mid-lengths to ends
Hold products (gel, mousse): root to ends

Distribution is everything. A simple method is flipping your head forward and side to side while applying, then brushing through. Even better is working in sections and distributing product with intention. Always apply products before towel drying for the best results.

4: Protect Your Curls from the Dry Colorado Climate

Between wash days, your environment plays a huge role in your hair’s health—especially with the sun, wind, and dry air we experience here in Colorado.

Wearing a hat during long sun exposure helps protect your scalp from sunburn. Protective accessories like silk or satin scarves, scrunchies, and clips help contain your curls without causing damage. Braids or low-manipulation styles are great for windy days or outdoor activity.

At night, at minimum, use a silk or satin pillowcase to reduce friction. Even better is sleeping with a bonnet or something like the Moonstone Seven Satin Sleeper. Reducing daily stress on your hair helps it stay healthier, more vibrant, and extends your wash day results.

5: Invest in Professional Curly Hair Care

As a hairstylist, I truly believe that a great haircut and in-salon treatments can take your curls to the next level.

My haircuts are designed with longevity in mind. I may cut coils curl-by-curl to honor their natural pattern, keep finer hair blunt to prevent fraying, or remove weight internally for thicker hair so it doesn’t feel heavy too quickly.

Finding a curly hair specialist in the Denver Metro/Boulder area who understands multiple cutting techniques—and can tailor them to your hair, lifestyle, and long-term goals—is key.

At Nature's Curls, I also offer treatments like detoxes, deep conditioning, steaming, and glosses to maintain shine and overall hair health. Having a stylist who understands your natural texture is truly a game changer.

The Final Step: Consistency Over Perfection

What matters most is having an intentional process—products and techniques that are aligned with your hair.

Will it be perfect every time? No. That’s the nature of curls—and honestly, that’s what gives them their beauty and character.

It’s easy to compare ourselves to what we see online and wonder why our hair doesn’t look the same. But what we’re seeing is someone’s best day, best angle, best lighting. Curls move. They frizz. We have multiple textures on one head. Nothing about curls is perfect by definition—and neither are we.

Our uniqueness deserves to be celebrated, not controlled.

In my experience, this is the final step in my clients’ curl journey: acceptance. Not because everything is perfect—but because it isn’t. And once they stop fighting their hair, it becomes healthier, happier, and so much easier to love.

A Radiant Spring Refresh: Curls That Bloom in Colorado

As the seasons shift, it’s the perfect time to give your curls a lighter touch. In Colorado's unique climate, transitioning to a simplified, high-impact routine is key. A tailored Spring cut should look beautiful worn down, feeling airy and effortless for warmer days. My goal is to craft a shape that celebrates your natural texture while introducing a simplified, effective routine—your simplest, healthiest curls yet.

✨ How To Get The Healthiest Curls In 2026: A Boulder Stylist’s Guide To Beating Dryness & Frizz