How to part curly hair when dry? How to part curly hair when wet? Learn all about how to style naturally curly hair right here!
Taking care of curly hair can be such a task. I would know as I have 4c curls that seem impossible to untangle and comb on most days.
If you have Afro hair then you can braid it or wear it in protective styles to keep them out of the way.
But what about the styling? And just how do you manage type 3 curls?
Well, I’ve got it all covered in this article for you.
The first part to get to is untangling and combing curly hair when dry and then comes the task of parting your curly hair the right way.
And this is how you do it right!
How To Part Curly Hair When Dry
If you want to part curly hair, I highly recommend doing it in the shower when it’s wet. But due to circumstances this isn’t possible all the time. So here’s how to part curly hair when dry.
Use Your Fingers To Create A Part
If you are trying to style dry, curly hair, the first step is to apply a hair oil or leave-in conditioner that would make the process easier.
Curly hair is prone to frizz and tangles when dry so make sure you hydrate it first.
The best way to find a part in thick, curly hair is to use your fingers. You can create a middle parting if you want that style but this can make your curls appear flat.
So I would suggest a side part if you want more volume in your tresses. You can also create a zig-zag or diagonal pattern with the part to add more volume at the top of your curls.
When you’re using your fingers to find a part, follow the directions of the curls instead of trying to break them apart.
Use A Tail Comb To Part Curly Hair
Okay, so I know a lot of stylists don’t recommend using rat tail combs on curly hair. But that’s for styling hair. If you want to simply use it to pick out a hair parting, it should be fine.
And since you’re using a rat tail comb on dry, curly hair not wet there’s little chance of hair damage as it’s wet hair that's more fragile.
But be careful since rat tail combs will definitely split your curls apart. So use it only if that’s the look you’re going for. Otherwise just stick to using your fingers.
Get A Natural Parting Using A Diffuser
If you don’t want to (or can’t part your curly hair in the shower when it’s wet that’s okay. But this doesn’t mean you have to wait for your hair to completely dry down to style it.
The easiest way to get part of curly hair is when you’re drying your hair with a diffuser. Just flip your hair upside down to diffuse curls and use your fingers to define the hair parting while you’re at it.
- Related: Best Microfiber Towel For Curly Hair
- Related: How To Braid Curly Hair
How To Part Curly Hair When Wet
If you have curly hair it’s better to style your hair wet. Sometimes these hair textures will set into whatever shape they have when wet. So you can define your curls better if you style them wet.
Here’s what you need to do to part curly hair when wet.
Step 1: Make sure your hair is damp and not wet. Remove any excess water using a microfiber towel or an old cotton t-shirt.
Step 2: Apply some liquid serum to hydrate hair and then use a leave-in conditioner to lock in this moisture. This will not only give adequate moisture to curly hair but also add a slippery feel to curls making parting easier.
Step 3: Use your fingers to shape your curls and then move hair to whatever direction you want to part it in. For example, use your fingers to divide the hair into two equal sections in front if you want a middle part. Or move all your hair to the side if you want to part it in that direction.
Step 4: Then use a rat tail comb to define the parting neatly. You can either choose a middle straight parting or go for zig zag shapes to add volume.
How To Style Naturally Curly Hair
Styling curly hair doesn’t have to be hard. Here are some tips to make not only creating a part but also styling curly hair (wet or dry!) easier.
Start by brushing out all tangles with a wide-tooth comb. Instead of brushing your hair with your fingers or a regular comb, use a wide-tooth comb. It will break up the curls less and help you get a better, smoother result.
Apply product in wet hair and let it air-dry. I usually apply my leave-in conditioner in wet hair, then jump directly in the shower and wash my hair like normal.
Or you can do the curly girl method and apply products in the LOC order. With liquid serums going in first, oils next and leave-in conditioners at the end.
When my hair is almost dry, I’ll apply a conditioning product, like a deep-conditioning mask, or a hair serum. Diffuse your hair. I usually diffuse my hair for about 10 minutes after I apply the product.
Pro Tip: There are a few small tricks you can use to make sure your curls last. When your hair is almost dry, scrunch in a hair serum. Avoid using gel. It will make your hair crunchy and dry. You can also scrunch in a volumizing dry oil spray to add extra shine and bounce to your hair. After that, wrap your hair up in a microfiber towel and scrunch the curls. The longer it stays, the more it will curl.
How To Part Thin Curly Hair To Ensure The Most Scalp Coverage
When it comes to parting thin curly hair to maximize scalp coverage, there are several tips you can follow. Here are some recommendations to help you achieve the desired effect:
- Start with Clean, Conditioned Hair: Begin by washing and conditioning your hair with products specifically designed for thin or fine hair. This can help add volume and make it easier to manipulate during the parting process.
- Use a Wide-Tooth Comb or Fingers: Instead of using a fine-tooth comb or a brush, opt for a wide-tooth comb or even your fingers to part your hair. This can help minimize breakage and preserve the natural curl pattern. Gently separate the hair along the desired parting line, starting from the front and working your way back.
- Experiment with Different Parting Styles: Try different parting styles to find the one that provides the most scalp coverage for your hair. This can include a middle part, side part, zigzag part, or even diagonal parting. Play around with different angles and positions to see which style gives you the desired coverage.
- Use Styling Products: Apply lightweight styling products specifically formulated for thin or fine hair to add texture and volume. This can help create the illusion of fuller hair and enhance scalp coverage. Avoid using heavy or greasy products that can weigh down the hair.
- Consider Volumizing Techniques: Experiment with volumizing techniques to boost the appearance of your hair's thickness and enhance scalp coverage. This can include diffusing your curls upside down to create more lift at the roots or gently massaging the scalp to encourage natural volume.
- Avoid Pulling the Hair Too Tight: Be gentle when parting and styling your hair. Avoid pulling the hair too tightly or using hairstyles that create tension, as this can lead to breakage and thinning over time. Embrace looser hairstyles that allow your curls to breathe and move freely.
- Embrace Natural Volume: Embrace the natural volume and texture of your thin curly hair. Avoid flattening or smoothing the hair excessively, as this can make the scalp more visible. Instead, work with your hair's natural texture to create a fuller, voluminous look.
FAQs about How To Part And Style Curly Hair When Dry
Should you part curly hair wet?
So yes, you should part curly hair when it’s wet. Ideally, you should part curly hair in the shower right after you’ve applied your leave-in conditioner or hair mask as the slippery consistency of these conditioners makes it easier to comb through hair.
Should I part my curly hair in the middle?
However, some women might find that their hair looks weighed down and less “bouncy” when they take out a middle part.
So a lot of curly haired girlies prefer side parts. I personally think you can pull off a middle part if you add a little root lifter or diffuse your hair when it’s wet to add more volume.
How to part curly hair for volume?
So creating a side parting when curls are wet is the best way to add volume.
I also suggest clipping your hair up near the parting so the curls don’t dry flat on the scalp. This will “lift” hair at the roots adding more volume.
Why is my hair curly when wet but frizzy when dry?
So when you’re in the shower and your hair is wet, it’s fully hydrated and settles down into its original texture. But when the water dries off, the hair gets frizzy due to lack of moisture.
If you want to maintain your curls even after your hair dries, then you should apply a hair conditioner that adds more hydration and locks in existing moisture.
Diffusing your curly hair instead of drying it with a towel or direct heat from blow dryers also saves it from friction and dehydration that cause frizz.
Having the right haircut can also go a long way to benefiting curls and it also decides how you should part your hair. Check out a curl-friendly haircut below!
If you want to part curly hair when dry, I suggest using some sort of leave-in conditioner or oil to give your hair that extra “slip”.
This will ensure your fingers or comb you’re using to create the part slips through curls easily and doesn’t get caught in hair.
Another thing to keep in mind is to check for volume. Creating a part right in the middle of the head is not preferred by most women with curly hair as it seems to reduce the volume on hair.
But there’s no reason why you can’t take out a middle parting if done right.
It’s good to know how to part curly hair or style it when it’s dry. But I always suggest styling and parting on wet hair as it’s easier.