How To Embrace Your Natural Hair Texture

I’ll be the first to admit, I didn’t always love the natural texture of my hair. In fact, I spent the vast majority of high school and college waking up an extra hour early so that I would have enough time to flat iron every kink and curl out of my mane. These days, however, I can’t get enough of my curly ringlets. It wasn’t easy, and it didn’t happen overnight (more like, a decade) but after trial and error, amazing product recommendations, and tips and tricks from some of the best stylists in the industry, I finally found a hair care routine that helped me to embrace my natural texture.

As much as we love styling with hot tools and products to manipulate the texture of our hair, here at Hair.com, we think everyone should know how to care for and style their natural texture. Whether you’re transitioning, looking to update your hair care regime, or just want to add another style to your look book, below we’re sharing tips, tricks, and products to help you embrace your natural texture—no matter your hair type.

If you have straight hair

It’s easy to think that people with straight hair have it made—waking up every morning with hair that looks like it’s been flat-ironed? Yes, please. However, anyone with straight hair will tell you this texture is no walk in the park. People with straight strands often struggle to impart volume into their styles, and frizz can make their straight hair look less tousled bedhead and more, a straight-up mess.

If you’re in search of a hair care regime that will help your strands look sleek, but give you the body and movement you always dreamed of, we’ve got just the products for you.

Matrix Total Results High Amplify Volumizing Shampoo

The foundation of every great hair care routine is shampoo. The right shampoo will not only cleanse your hair and scalp but also help you achieve your hair goals. If you have straight hair that just can’t seem to hold any volume, pick up Matrix Total Results High Amplify Volumizing Shampoo. This lightweight silicone-free formula with protein helps boost the structure of fine, limp hair for lasting volume.

Matrix Total Results High Amplify Volumizing Shampoo, $12.50 MSRP

Matrix Total Results High Amplify Volumizing Conditioner

For the best results, you should always follow your shampoo with the conditioner from the same system. If you’re worried about conditioner weighing down your straight strands or making your roots look oily, only apply the product to your mid-lengths and ends. Your ends are the oldest and, therefore, the driest part of your hair, so it benefits the most from a conditioner.

Matrix Total Results High Amplify Volumizing Conditioner, $12.50 MSRP

Matrix Total Results High Amplify Root Lifter

If you’re looking to impart major volume into your locks, it’s what you do before you style your hair that counts. Spray a volumizing root lifter like Matrix Total Results High Amplify Root Lifter at your roots before blow drying your mane. For even more volume, flip your hair over and dry your hair upside down—let gravity work in your favor.

Matrix Total Results High Amplify Root Lifter, $17.00 MSRP

Matrix Style Link Smooth Setter Smoothing Cream

Just because your strands are naturally straight doesn’t mean they can’t use a little help looking sleek. Achieve a smooth, frizz-free without heat styling with Matrix Style Link Smooth Setter Smoothing Cream. This anti-frizz cream texture delivers a smooth, satin finish and does not weigh down hair for natural movement.

Matrix Style Link Smooth Setter Smoothing Cream, $18.00 MSRP

If you have wavy hair

Wavy hair is one of the most coveted textures around, but without the right products, wavy hair can go from beachy to unruly in an instant. The key to styling and embracing wavy hair is to find the perfect combination of products that help to tame your waves while also enhancing its natural bend. Eliminate frizz and embrace your texture with the products below—just don’t be surprised if someone asks you for a curling wand recommendation.

Redken Frizz Dismiss Shampoo

Frizz is the bane of everyone’s existence—no matter your hair type, but especially when your hair has a bit of texture. Redken's Frizz Dismiss Shampoo is a Sodium Chloride- Free and Sulfate-Free shampoo that fights frizz and enhances shine to prep your mane for your best waves yet.

Redken Frizz Dismiss Shampoo, $22.50 MSRP

Redken Frizz Dismiss Conditioner

Nourished waves are sexy waves, so don’t skip out on conditioner! Redken Frizz Dismiss Shampoo is formulated with sustainably sourced Babassu Oil to tame frizzy hair, increase smoothness, and enhance shine.

Redken Frizz Dismiss Conditioner, $22.50 MSRP

Redken Frizz Dismiss Instant Deflate Hair Oil

Want your waves to look sleek enough they look like a curling wand created them? Redken Frizz Dismiss Instant Deflate Hair Oil helps prevent excess volume, puffiness, and frizz while increasing manageability.

Redken Frizz Dismiss Instant Deflate Hair Oil, $29.00 MSRP

Redken Triple Dry 15 Dry Texture Finishing Spray

Your natural texture is stunning on its own, and likely doesn’t need any help, but if you want to take your waves up a notch, finish them off with Redken Triple Dry 15 Texture Finishing Spray. This dry texturizing spray provides medium hold for hairstyles without crunch or build-up. This product is perfect for creating an undone, effortless finish on hairstyles.

Redken Triple Dry 15 Dry Texture Finishing Spray, $24.00 MSRP

If you have curly hair

Anyone with curly hair will tell you that sometimes it feels like your curls never look the same way twice. If consistency is keeping you from embracing your natural texture, chances are good you just haven’t found the right styling routine yet. Armed with the products below and our expert tips, you’ll have shiny, bouncy, defined curls in no time.

Matrix Total Results Curl Please Shampoo

Luscious, healthy curls can be elusive. Take the guesswork out of it with Matrix Total Results Curl Please Shampoo. The anti-frizz salon professional formula moisturizes curly hair intensely without adding weight to create brilliant shine.

Matrix Total Results Curl Please Shampoo, $12.50 MSRP

Matrix Total Results Curl Please Conditioner

Conditioner is the Holy Grail in any curly girl’s arsenal, and Matrix Total Results Curl Please Conditioner is ready to claim it’s rightful spot as one of the best formulas around. Curl Please Conditioner with nourishing jojoba seed oil helps to moisturize wavy and curly hair to control frizz and define curls.

Matrix Total Results Curl Please Conditioner, $12.50 MSRP

Matrix Total Results Curl Please Contouring Lotion

Hoping to give your ringlets some shine? Rake Matrix Total Results Curl Please Contouring Lotion through your mane. Curl Please Contouring Lotion boosts body, bounce, and shine as it nourishes with light moisture for definition. You’ll be rewarded with touchable, lustrous curls that are in control.

Matrix Total Results Curl Please Contouring Lotion, $17.00 MSRP

Matrix Total Results Curl Please Super Defrizzer Gel

Gel has a reputation for being crunchy and flakey, but this styling gel is anything but. Curl Please Super Defrizzer Gel instantly delivers lightweight, strong-hold definition, and frizz control. Want to know the secret to perfect, shiny curls without stiffness that lasts? Don’t touch your hair while it’s drying! Allow your curls to completely dry, before scrunching your strands and breaking the gel cast. Allowing your curls to dry completely will help to lock their shape in place.

Matrix Total Results Curl Please Super Defrizzer Gel, $17.00 MSRP

If you have coily hair

Coily hair is one of the most misunderstood textures around, and the wrong products and styling techniques can wreak havoc on your mane. The key to nourished coily strands is moisture, moisture, moisture! Since coily hair typically has a hard time retaining moisture, it’s important to use products that hydrate your strands during every step of your routine. Once you give this ultra-hydrating hair care routine a try, you’ll wonder why you didn’t embrace your natural texture sooner.

Mizani Moisture Fusion Moisture Rich Shampoo

Shampoo has a reputation for being drying, but not all shampoos are created equal. This shampoo gently cleanses and conditions hair and is infused with cupuacu butter, argan oil, and honey. The Moisture Fusion system of Moisture Rich Shampoo and Intense Moisturizing Mask quenches hair for soft moisturized manageability.

Mizani Moisture Fusion Moisture Rich Shampoo, $24.00 MSRP

Mizani Moisture Fusion Intense Moisture Mask

When your hair needs lots of moisture, sometimes a regular conditioner just won’t cut it. Drench your strands in moisture with Mizani’s Moisture Fusion Intense Moisture Mask. This creamy intensive moisturizing mask is infused with cupuaçu butter, argan oil, and honey, helping to improve the condition of hair without adding weight.

Mizani Moisture Fusion Intense Moisture Mask, $30.00 MSRP

Mizani Curl Defining Pudding

If you’re having a hard time flaunting the gorgeous detail of your coils, it’s time to add a defining product like Mizani Curl Defining Pudding to your routine. This rich luxurious cream formulated with coconut, olive, and marula oils will define and elongate coily to extremely tight texture types. Apply the product to soaking wet hair to help lock moisture in.

Mizani Curl Defining Pudding, $20.00 MSRP

Mizani True Textures Twist & Coil Jelly

If twist outs are your go-to style, you need to add Mizani True Textures Twist & Coil Jelly to your arsenal. This curl activator gel is made with coconut, olive, and marula oils for softer, smoother springy curls and coils.

Mizani True Textures Twist & Coil Jelly, $20.00 MSRP