It's official – if there's ever been a time to own your effortless tousle and work your corkscrew curls, it's now.

If, like us, the thought of straightening your au natural texture one more time is worse than a dealing with yet another delayed train, then we're here to show you how to ditch the irons and take a more organic approach to styling.

From concentrated oils that deliver ultimate moisture to coils, to lightweight spritzes for reviving third-day waves, the market is flourishing with products for curly hair of every variety. And forget the styling tools. Modern innovation has seen classic brushes come a long way (not to mention towels, combs, hats and hairbands) so you can leave the heat damage at home. Enhancing your hair's natural movement need no longer be a daunting prospect.

Read on for how to encourage your curls minus the heated hair tools...

how to style curly hair without heat
Matteo Valle/launchmetrics.com/spotlight//Getty Images

10 Ways To Style Natural Curly Hair

  1. Twist wet hair with a towel instead of rubbing all over.
  2. Go easy with your hairbrush or try a wide-toothed comb.
  3. Ask for a 'feathered' cut at the hairdressers.
  4. Swap your hair serum for a curl creme.
  5. Use a diffuser on your hairdryer.
  6. Avoid anti-frizz products.
  7. Get a mousse with a modern 'non-crispy' formula.
  8. Choose light-hold hairspray.
  9. Try salt spray.
  10. Get a deep conditioning treatment.

Intrigued? Get the full info on the ten tricks you need to master your natural texture and become a fully fledged curly girl below.

How To Style Natural Curly Hair

1. Adopt the 'twist and press' method when drying

We're all guilty of rough drying our tresses after a shower, but the rigorous motion can crush natural curls and encourage a halo of frizz.

'The number one mistake we all make, especially when it comes to curls, is rushing the process,' says JVN founder, Jonathan Van Ness. 'Curls respond best when we don’t try to dry them or style them too aggressively. Wash and condition with a gentle, sulphate-free formulation geared toward supplying hydration and then opt for a microfiber towel, or even a cotton shirt, to absorb the moisture from your hair a little more slowly.'

Hairstylist Lee Stafford mentions that the much gentler 'press and twist' method will preserve curls and provide body.

'Simply take your towel and press and twist the hair rather than roughly rubbing it back and forth,' he said. 'Vigorously rubbing the hair to dry it will push the hair cuticles upwards which creates frizz.'

how to style curly hair
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2. Go gentle with the hairbrush

Curly hair tends to be more dry and brittle than other types, so pulling a hairbrush through it will cause breakage and iron out your curl's natural shape, but that doesn't mean you need to avoid it completely.

'Using a detangling brush on conditioned hair is a really great way to get your curls popping and it is the safest time to brush through your hair,' says Michelle Sultan, creative director of curl-focused haircare brand, Imbue. 'A wide tooth comb is also great and sometimes works better depending on hair length and density.'

Detangling Comb
Imbue Detangling Comb
£6 at imbuecurls.co.uk
Duafe Afro Comb
Charlotte Mensah Duafe Afro Comb
The Ultimate Detangler Naturally Curly Brush
Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangler Naturally Curly Brush

3. Ask your hairstylist to feather the ends of your hair with a razor or scissors

'The best cut for curls depends wildly on what your curl type and desired end result is, specifically if you are going to heat style your hair in other ways besides your natural curls, or if you plan on wearing your natural curls all the time,' adds JVN. 'If it’s curls all the time, a lot of shape and releasing excess weight can enliven your curls to new heights. I always recommend consulting with a stylist who specialises in curly cuts about what will work for your lifestyle and aesthetic.'

One of the best kept secrets in hairdressing is to ask your hairstylist to feather the ends of your hair with a razor or scissors. Think of a synthetic ribbon – when you scrape the surface with the the sharp edge of a pair of scissors, the end shoots up into a curl; this is what feathering your hair will achieve.

Hello, all-over volume.

how to style curly hair
Filippo Fortis/launchmetrics.com/spotlight//LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT

4. Use the L.O.C method

Finding products that work for your hair type is the key to giving your locks that extra bit of lustre - but it's easier said than done. With new brands, textures and finishes launching every single day, decoding what formula is meant for your curls is as tricky as finding the right moisturiser for reactive skin or the right mascara for watery eyes.

'Most curl patterns are going to need similar things, with your type and density indicating specifically which products will work best,' says JVN. 'A great starting place is to try the L.O.C method - which stands for liquid/leave-in, oil, cream. For those with a looser curl pattern or finer hair, the liquid can just be a spritz of water to activate your texture - while tighter curls or coils would benefit from a heavier leave-in conditioner. The oil step adds moisture to keep your curls hydrated and finally the cream locks that moisture in and adds definition.'

Complete Leave-In Conditioning Mist
JVN Complete Leave-In Conditioning Mist
Shook Mix + Fix Bundling Spray
Color Wow Shook Mix + Fix Bundling Spray
Now 20% Off

If this feels like one too many steps, it's worth experimenting with the order of your, maybe going LCO instead if that works best for you or completely skipping one and just doing LC, for example. I personally love using this method with our Leave-In Conditioning Mist to add moisture, followed by Instant Recovery Serum to add strength and porosity balance. Then I finish everything off with Air Dry Cream for buildable hold and 24-hour frizz defence. Start with this routine and experiment until you find what your own unique curls like best.

5. Always use a diffuser when blow-drying

A diffuser is essential for evening out curl patterns. To give your curls some shape, simply turn your hairdryer on to the 'low' setting and drop them into the diffuser.

'Defined curls are going to be big in both volume and popularity,' says pro hairstylist Charlotte Mensah. 'Invest in a diffuser to ensure you get perfectly defined curls.'

JVN's top tip? Make sure to spend longer on each section with the diffuser at low to medium heat to avoid creating frizz with too much movement or by drying too quickly.

Get The Look

Follow Charlotte's step by step to perfect curls using a hair diffuser...

how to style curly hair
Filippo Fortis//LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT

6. Avoid 'anti-frizz' products

'Some anti-frizz products on the market contain silicones. This is harmful for curly hair as they do tend to weigh it down. Rather than going for anti-frizz make sure your hair is hydrated and nourished to make your most beautiful curls,' explains Sultan. Look for sulphate-free formulas with moisturising ingredients such as glycerin and plant butters.

ELLE Edit: Sulphate-Free Shampoo For Curly Hair
Curl Shampoo
Living Proof Curl Shampoo
Be Curly Co-Wash
Aveda Be Curly Co-Wash
Nutricurls Shampoo for Waves
Wella Professionals Nutricurls Shampoo for Waves
Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Shampoo
Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Shampoo

7. Change up your mousse game

Mousse can be a game-changer. It's packed with malleable proteins that strengthen every curl without that stiff feeling.

'Modern-day buttery, whippy mega indulgent mousses, when used on curly hair, deliver intense moisture and create big beautiful defined curls with root lift,' explains Jonathon Eangland, hairstylist at John Frieda Salons. Sultan concurs, explaining that mousses can help create definition and leave curls feeling bouncy without weight in type 3 and certain type 4 hair. You can also cocktail your mousse with a curl cream for better hold.

curly hair
["Filippo Fortis", "Filippo Fortis/launchmetrics.com/spotlight"]//LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT

8. Choose a light hold hairspray to lock in your style

Don't make the mistake of drenching your natural curls in strong hold hairspray to keep them in check. 'Our main aim is to keep our curls moisturised and luscious looking. High-alcohol hairsprays can be rather aggressive, which can dehydrate the curls,' says Eangland. Look for curl-specific hold spritzes or do a very light misting of low-alcohol hairspray.

9. Don't be afraid of salt sprays

To invigorate your curls, water is your BFF. 'Use a water spray and spritz the hair. Then, reapply your leave-in conditioner, gels or serums to reactivate the curls,' says Sultan. That said, if you're someone with looser curls, a good salt spray can do a great job of creating texture and revitalising the wave or curl.

The Body Hybrid Hair Mousse
Arkive The Body Hybrid Hair Mousse
Embody Volumising Foam
JVN Embody Volumising Foam
Hair By Sam McKnight Sundaze Sea Spray 150ml
Hair by Sam McKnight Hair By Sam McKnight Sundaze Sea Spray 150ml

10. Treat your hair to a deep condition treatment

Quench thirsty curls and encourage a lively bounce by treating your hair to an intensely hydrating conditioning treatment weekly or twice monthly, depending on your hair type.

'If your hair tends to get fluffy or have flyaways, masks with protein are great as they help your curls spring back to shape. If your hair is dehydrated look for masks that also have high moisture,' recommends Sultan.

Bumble and Bumble's lead educator in texture, Leah Hill, also adds that 'leaving a conditioning mask in the hair for too long, all day or all night this can cause hygral fatigue in the hair causing the hair to be over-moisturised, limp, frizzy.'

'My number one tip for keeping curls healthy whilst at home would be to use a moisturising over night serum each night to infuse the hair with the goodness and moisture it needs whilst you sleep! Allowing your curls to be nourished during your resting period ready for the day the next day.'

Nutriplenish Overnight Hydrating Serum
Aveda Nutriplenish Overnight Hydrating Serum
Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Hydrating & Defining Mask
Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Hydrating & Defining Mask
Elasticizer Intensive Treatment
Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Intensive Treatment
HoliRoots Repairing Hair Mask
Fable & Mane HoliRoots Repairing Hair Mask