Guide to Achieving Defined Curls for Natural Hair

Are you tired of wearing your kinky hair in the same old high bun every day? Do you want to switch things up and achieve defined curls for your 3B-4C hair? You’ve come to the right place! This guide will provide you with 21 techniques to transform your natural hair into a defined curly mass of goodness.

Introduction to Defined Curls

Defined curls are a great way to add volume, bounce, and texture to your natural hair. They are easy to achieve with the right technique and products. Defined curls can be identified by four qualities:

1. Less frizz
2. Clumps of curls forming a single perfect curl
3. Healthy hair retaining a natural curl pattern and bounce
4. Good curl separation with each individual strand separating from the other from the roots without causing frizz.

With these qualities in mind, let’s get started on achieving those perfect defined curls.

Related Sub-Category Natural Hair Curls Link Bellow

Natural Hair Curls

1. Straw Setting Your Hair

Straw sets are a great way to achieve well-defined curls that last longer and look better as they age. This method is affordable and suitable for any hair length. Here’s what you need to get started:

‍Photo by yokim on Pixabay

What You Need For A Straw Set

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Moisturizer
• Setting Lotion
• Straws
• Bobby Pins
• Wide Tooth Comb

How To Get The Perfect Straw Set Curls

1. Start by washing your hair thoroughly with shampoo. Straw sets work best on wet or damp hair.
2. Condition your hair with the right conditioner for your hair and avoid drying your hair after conditioning.
3. Moisturize your hair and scalp with a light moisturizer.
4. Use a wide-tooth comb to apply the setting lotion evenly onto your hair. The more setting lotion you use, the tighter the straw set.
5. Split your hair into sections with the wide-tooth comb depending on the style you want.
6. Curl the hair around with straws. Grab a straw and about an inch width of hair and wrap it around the straw in a spiral fashion. Roll the hair up into a tight spiral, then pin it with bobby pins. Make sure you do this in front of a mirror to avoid making too tight spirals.
7. Allow the hair to dry inside a dryer.
8. When the straw curls have formed fully, remove the straws and the bobby pins.
9. Spray some hair sheen or apply hair oil.

2. Curling Your Hair Using Bantu Knot Outs

Bantu knot outs are a great way to create defined curls without using heat. This method is suitable for all hair lengths. Here’s what you need to get started:

What You Need For A Bantu Knot Out

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Setting Lotion or Styling Gel
• Rattail Comb
• Pins or Elastics

How To Get The Perfect Bantu Knot Outs Curls

1. Wash your hair thoroughly with shampoo, condition with a leave-in conditioner, then detangle where necessary to prepare your hair for styling.
2. Ensure your hair is damp before you proceed. Then, part your damp hair into sections using a rat tail comb.
3. Use a portion of the setting lotion or styling gel to work for your hands through each section of hair and twist.
4. Or you can wrap each section of your hair against itself like a screw.
5. Coil or wrap each twisted hair against itself at the base.
6. Wrap each section closer to your head, bringing the ends of your hair closest to your scalp and secure in place with a pin or elastic.
7. Allow to dry and set overnight.
8. Remove the pins or elastic, untuck the ends and your curls are ready to go.

3. Using Flexi Rods To Curl Your Hair

Flexi rods are soft and bendy sticks that come in a range of shapes and sizes. They form around the hair with ease and can be used on dry or wet 3B-4C hair. Here’s what you need to get started:

What You Need For A Flexi Rods Set

• Flexi Rods
• Spray Bottle of Water
• Leave-in Conditioner/ Setting Lotion
• Rattail Comb

How To Get The Perfect Curls With Flexi Rods

1. Start with dry detangled hair. If you decide to use damp hair, know that it will take longer to dry and would shrink. Dry hair is longer but has less definition than damp hair.
2. For dry hair, divide your hair into sections with the rat tail comb.
3. Mist each section of hair with a spray bottle of water. Apply just a little water, so it doesn’t come off soaking wet.
4. Apply the leave-in conditioner or setting lotion on each section of the hair.
5. Wrap your hair around a flexi rod and bend the ends inward. You need to decide on the size of the curls you desire and use the appropriate flexi rods. The thicker the rod, the larger the curl will be.
6. Repeat the same process all over your head.
7. Allow your hair to air dry or use a hairdryer.
8. When dry, take out the rods and you have your bouncy curls.

4. Use Finger Coils To Curl Your Hair

Finger coiling your hair is a basic and easy method of achieving well-defined curls for your 3B-4C hair. Even the new naturalista to the hair game can pull off this process. Finger coils are one of the best ways to train your curls and enhance your hair texture. Here’s what you need to get started:

What You Need For Finger Coiling Your Hair

• Curl Cream (preferably a hydrating one)
• Fingers

How To Get Defined Curls Using Finger Coils

1. You can start with either wet or dry hair. Dry hair gives your curls more length.
2. Moisturize your hair thoroughly and seal.
3. Apply the curl cream on your fingers and distribute it evenly over your hair. Curl creams you can use include Eco styling gel or Cantu moisturizing curl activator.
4. Take small sections of your hair and twirl them around your finger.
5. Allow to air dry.
6. Style your hair as desired.

5. Using Perm Rods Set For Defined Curls

Perm rods are a great way to achieve well-defined curls without using heat. Here’s what you need to get started:

What You Need For A Perm Rods Set

• Perm Rods
• Spray Bottle of Water
• Leave-in Conditioner/ Setting Lotion
• Rattail Comb

How To Get The Perfect Curls With Perm Rods

1. Start with clean, dry hair.
2. Divide your hair into small sections using a rat tail comb.
3. Mist each section of hair with a spray bottle of water. Apply just a little water, so it doesn’t come off soaking wet.
4. Apply a leave-in conditioner or setting lotion on each section of the hair.
5. Wrap each section of hair around a perm rod and roll it up towards your scalp.
6. Secure the perm rod in place with a clip.
7. Repeat the same process all over your head.
8. Allow your hair to air dry or use a hairdryer.
9. After your hair is completely dry, carefully remove the perm rods.
10. Style your hair as desired.

6. Two Strand Twists

Two-strand twists are a classic method for achieving defined curls. This method is easy to do and can be done on any hair length. Here’s what you need to get started:

What You Need For Two Strand Twists

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Leave-in Conditioner/ Setting Lotion
• Wide Tooth Comb

How To Get Defined Curls Using Two Strand Twists

1. Start by washing your hair with shampoo and conditioning it. Detangle your hair with a wide-tooth comb.
2. Apply a leave-in conditioner or setting lotion to your hair.
3. Divide your hair into small sections with a wide-tooth comb.
4. Take one section of hair and divide it into two equal parts.
5. Twist the two sections of hair around each other, starting at the roots.
6. Continue twisting until you reach the ends of your hair.
7. Repeat the process on the remaining sections of your hair.
8. Allow your hair to air dry or use a hairdryer.
9. When your hair is completely dry, unravel the twists and style as desired.

7. Twist Outs

A twist out is a great way to achieve defined curls and stretch your hair. Here’s what you need to get started:

What You Need For A Twist Out

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Leave-in Conditioner/ Setting Lotion
• Wide Tooth Comb

How To Get The Perfect Twist Out Curls

1. Start by washing your hair with shampoo and conditioning it. Detangle your hair with a wide-tooth comb.
2. Apply a leave-in conditioner or setting lotion to your hair.
3. Divide your hair into small sections with a wide-tooth comb.
4. Take one section of hair and divide it into two equal parts.
5. Twist the two sections of hair around each other, starting at the roots.
6. Once you reach the ends of your hair, twist the ends around your finger to create a curl.
7. Repeat the process on the remaining sections of your hair.
8. Allow your hair to air dry or use a hairdryer.
9. When your hair is completely dry, unravel the twists and style as desired.

8. The Pineapple Method

The pineapple method is a great way to preserve your curls overnight and maintain their shape. Here’s what you need to get started:

What You Need For The Pineapple Method

• Satin Scarf
• Hair Tie

How To Use The Pineapple Method

1. Gather all of your hair at the top of your head and secure it with a hair tie. Make sure not to tie it too tight.
2. Cover your hair with a satin scarf to prevent frizz and maintain moisture.
3. When you wake up in the morning, remove the hair tie and satin scarf.
4. Fluff your curls with your fingers and style as desired.

9. The Wash and Go

The wash and go is a quick and easy way to achieve defined curls for your natural hair. Here’s what you need to get started:

What You Need For The Wash and Go

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Leave-in Conditioner/ Setting Lotion

How To Do A Wash and Go

1. Start by washing your hair with shampoo and conditioning it.
2. Apply a leave-in conditioner or setting lotion to your hair.
3. Allow your hair to air dry or use a hairdryer.
4. When your hair is completely dry, fluff your curls with your fingers and style as desired.

10. The LOC Method

The LOC method is a great way to moisturize and define your curls. Here’s what you need to get started:

What You Need For The LOC Method

• Liquid (water or a leave-in conditioner)
• Oil (coconut oil or olive oil)
• Cream (curl cream or hair butter)

How To Use The LOC Method

1. Start by washing your hair with shampoo and conditioning it.
2. Apply a leave-in conditioner or water to your hair.
3. Seal in the moisture with an oil (coconut oil or olive oil).
4. Apply a curl cream or hair butter to define your curls.
5. Style your hair as desired.

Conclusion

Achieving defined curls for your natural hair is easy with the right techniques and products. Experiment with different methods to find the one that works best for you. Remember to moisturize and protect your hair to maintain healthy defined curls. We wrote this article on How Do You Curl Your Hair Like A Professional? Check it out for all of the details.