3 Ways to Get Curly Hair (Men)

Want Curly Hair? Here’s the Game Plan

If you were born with stick-straight hair but dream of curls, waves, or that effortless “I woke up like this” texture,
you’re not alone. Men everywhere are asking the same questions: Can I get curly hair? Will it suit me?
Do I have to fry my hair with heat every morning?

The good news: you’ve got options. From boosting the natural wave you already have, to using heat tools, to going all in
with a professional perm, there are several ways to get curly hair as a man. The key is choosing the method that fits
your hair type, lifestyle, and how much time you want to spend in front of the mirror.

In this guide, we’ll walk through three main ways to get curly hair, plus realistic styling and care tips so your new
curls look intentionalnot like you lost a fight with a hairdryer.

Before You Start: Understand Your Hair

Before you twist, curl, or perm anything, it helps to know what you’re working with. Hair pros often talk about
hair type, texture, and porosity:

• Hair type: Straight (type 1), wavy (type 2), curly (type 3), or coily (type 4).
• Texture: Fine, medium, or thick (coarse).
• Porosity: How easily hair absorbs and holds moisture (low, medium, or high).

If your hair is already a little wavy (type 2), you may just need the right routine to unlock curls. If it’s very
straight and resistant to styling, you might need heat tools or a professional perm to get lasting curls.

No matter your starting point, all curly hair routines share a few basics:

• Use a gentle shampoo and a hydrating conditioner, ideally sulfate-free.
• Avoid washing your hair every day; 2–3 times per week works for most men.
• Dry gently with a microfiber towel or old T-shirtstrong rubbing = frizz.
• Get regular trims every 8–12 weeks to keep ends healthy.

Method 1: Boost the Curls You Already Have (No Heat)

If your hair has even a hint of wave, this is your easiest route to curly hair. It’s about treating your hair like
it’s curlyeven if it doesn’t quite know it yet.

Step 1: Wash and Condition for Curls

Start with a curl-friendly shampoo and conditioner made for dry or textured hair. Look for ingredients like shea butter,
aloe, glycerin, or lightweight oils. These help keep your strands hydrated so curls form instead of frizzing out.

After rinsing, gently squeeze out excess water. Your hair should be damp, not dripping, but still wet enough that
products spread easily.

Step 2: Apply Curl-Defining Products

This is where the magic happens. On damp hair:

• Apply a leave-in conditioner to hydrate and reduce frizz.
• Follow with a curl cream or light mousse to encourage curl formation and give your
  hair some hold.
• If you like a beachy, textured look, mist on some sea salt spray and scrunch it in.

Focus the products on the mid-lengths and ends, not your roots, so your hair doesn’t look greasy or weighed down.

Step 3: Scrunch, Twist, or “Plop”

Now it’s time to shape the curls:

• Scrunching: Flip your head forward and cup sections of hair from the ends, pushing upward toward your
  scalp. Squeeze gently to encourage waves and curls.
• Twists: Take small sections, twist them around your finger, and let them spring back. This works well
  for medium-length hair.
• Plopping: For longer hair, place a T-shirt or microfiber towel on a flat surface, flip your hair onto
  it, wrap it up, and let it sit for 10–20 minutes. This helps curls form without frizz.

Step 4: Air-Dry or Use Gentle Diffusing

Let your hair air-dry if you have time. While it’s drying, avoid touching itthe more you fuss with curls, the more
frizz you create.

If you’re in a hurry, use a blow-dryer with a diffuser attachment on low heat and low speed. Gently cup sections of hair
into the diffuser and hold near the scalp until dry. This helps enhance curls without turning them into a frizzy cloud.

Once your hair is fully dry, you can scrunch out any crunch from gel or mousse with clean, dry hands for a softer,
natural finish.

Method 2: Create Curls with Heat Tools

For guys with very straight hair or shorter cuts, heat tools can give you temporary curls or waves. Think of this as the
“weekend special”: it looks great, but it does require time and care.

Step 1: Prep with Heat Protectant

Heat styling can damage hair if you’re not careful. Before using any tool, apply a heat protectant spray
or cream evenly through damp or dry hair. This helps reduce breakage and keeps your hair from getting brittle.

Step 2: Use a Diffuser for Natural-Looking Waves

If your hair has a bit of wave, a diffuser might be all you need:

1. Apply a curl cream or mousse to damp hair.
2. Attach a diffuser to your blow-dryer.
3. Use medium or low heat and low airflow.
4. Gently scoop sections of hair into the diffuser and hold it near your scalp.
5. Continue until your hair is mostly dry, then let it air-dry the rest of the way.

This method enhances any natural texture and makes your hair look fuller and more defined.

Step 3: Try a Curling Wand or Flat Iron Bends

For straighter hair, you can create curls or waves using a curling wand or even a flat iron:

• Work in small sections (about 1 inch wide).
• Wrap each section around the wand or bend it through a flat iron in an “S” shape.
• Hold for a few seconds, then release and let the curl cool in your hand before dropping it.
• Alternate directions for a more natural look.

When you’re done, lightly run your fingers through your hair (not a brush) and finish with a small amount of lightweight
hairspray or texture spray. You’ll get casual waves instead of prom-night ringlets.

Heat Styling Safety Tips

• Don’t use the highest temperature unless your hair is thick and coarse.
• Aim for the lowest heat that still gives you results.
• Limit heat styling to a few times per week, not daily.
• Use a nourishing hair mask once a week to keep hair from drying out.

Method 3: Get a Professional Perm (Longer-Lasting Curls)

If you want curls that last for months, a men’s perm is the most powerful option. Modern perms are more
subtle and customizable than the ’80s versions your dad jokes about, and they’re especially popular with men who want
soft waves or textured curls without daily styling.

Is a Perm Right for You?

A perm may be a good choice if:

• Your hair is straight or slightly wavy and you want lasting curls or texture.
• Your hair is healthyno major bleach damage, breakage, or extreme dryness.
• You’re okay with a chemical process and some ongoing curl maintenance.

A consult with a stylist is essential. They’ll look at your hair type, length, and condition, then help you choose the
right curl patternfrom loose waves to tighter spirals.

What Happens During a Men’s Perm Appointment

The basic steps usually look like this:

1. Your hair is shampooed and sectioned.
2. Rod sizes are chosen based on the curl you want (larger rods for waves, smaller for tight curls).
3. Your hair is wrapped around the rods, and a perm solution is applied.
4. The solution processes for a set time to reshape the hair’s internal bonds.
5. Your stylist rinses, neutralizes, and removes the rods.
6. Your new curls are styled and dried.

The process can take a couple of hours, depending on your hair length and the style you’re going for.

Aftercare for Permed Hair

Once you have a perm, good care keeps it looking sharp:

• Avoid washing your hair for 24–48 hours after the appointment.
• Use sulfate-free shampoos and rich conditioners made for curls.
• Skip daily heat stylingtoo much heat can loosen your perm faster.
• Use curl creams, gels, or mousses to define your curls while they’re damp.
• Get trims and occasional touch-ups to keep your shape fresh.

How to Maintain and Style Curly Hair (Men)

Getting curls is just step one. Keeping them looking good is the long game. Whether your curls are natural, heat-styled,
or permed, these tips help:

• Hydration is everything: Curly hair is naturally drier. Use hydrating conditioners, leave-ins, and
  occasional masks.
• Hands off: The more you touch your hair while it’s drying, the frizzier it gets.
• Refresh between washes: Lightly mist hair with water or a curl-refresh spray, scrunch, and go.
• Sleep smart: Use a silk or satin pillowcase to reduce friction and keep curls from flattening overnight.
• Find a curl-friendly barber: Someone who understands curly hair can cut it in a way that works with
  your texture, not against it.

Common Mistakes When Trying to Get Curly Hair

To save you from rookie mistakes (and awkward photos), avoid these:

• Using harsh, drying shampoos every day.
• Rubbing your hair with a regular towel instead of blotting gently.
• Brushing curls when they’re dry, which breaks them up into frizz.
• Overloading your hair with heavy waxes or pomades that weigh curls down.
• Using very high heat without heat protectant.
• Getting a DIY perm at homeseriously, don’t.

Real-Life Experiences: What It’s Like to Switch to Curly Hair

Turning straight hair into curly hair is more than a styling changeit can feel like a personality upgrade. Here are
some realistic experiences and lessons from guys who’ve made the switch.

Stage 1: The “Is This Too Much?” Phase

The first time you walk out of the house with curls, you might feel like everyone is staring at you. (Some people are.
That’s kind of the point.) Many men say the first week feels like trying on a new outfit you’re not sure you can pull
off. The secret? Commit to it. Curls look best when you own the look instead of apologizing for it.

One common early mistake is using too much product. A palmful of gel that worked on short straight hair will turn curls
into a helmet. Most guys eventually learn that a small amount of curl cream or gel, applied evenly, gives better
definition and movement than overloading their hair.

Stage 2: Learning the Routine

Nearly everyone who transitions to curly hair goes through a period of experimentation. You may spend a few mornings
trying different combinations of sea salt spray, mousse, curl cream, and diffusing times. Expect a couple of “bad
hair days” while you figure it out.

Over time, most men settle into a simple formula, such as:

• Wash and condition every 2–3 days.
• On wash days: leave-in conditioner + curl cream + air-dry or diffuse.
• On non-wash days: water mist + small amount of curl-refresh spray, then scrunch.

The routine feels complicated at first, but once you know what your hair likes, it takes only a few minutes.

Stage 3: The Confidence Boost

The fun part? Once you and your curls understand each other, you start to notice a shift. Your hair has more volume,
more shape, and more personality. Friends might say you look younger, more relaxed, or more stylish. Some men say curls
make them look “less corporate” and more creative or laid backperfect if that matches how they feel inside.

Guys who choose perms often appreciate the low daily effort: they wake up, add a bit of product, scrunch, and they’re
done. Others love the flexibility of heat-styled curls that they can wear on nights out and skip on busier mornings.

Stage 4: Long-Term Maintenance Lessons

Over months, you get a sense of your long-term maintenance needs:

• You might schedule trims a bit more regularly because shape matters more with curls.
• You learn which products are worth the money and which cheap options work just as well.
• You may experiment with different curl styleslooser waves one month, tighter curls the next, or a perm refresh once
  the curls start to relax.

The bottom line from real-world experiences is this: curly hair for men doesn’t have to be high maintenance, but it
does require some intentional care. Once you accept that, you gain a hairstyle that stands out in the best way.

Conclusion: Choose Your Curl Strategy

There isn’t just one “right” way to get curly hair as a man. You can:

• Use products and no-heat techniques to bring out natural waves and curls.
• Rely on heat tools for temporary curls and weekend styles.
• Go for a professional perm if you want long-lasting texture with minimal daily effort.

Start with the least damaging method, see what your hair can do, and build from there. With a little patience, the
right products, and a barber or stylist who understands curls, you can transform your lookwithout transforming your
morning routine into a full-time job.