Curl Care +
Product Recommendations
Curl Care made simple: Everything you need to wash, define, refresh and care for your Nahara's Curls hair. Save this page and come back whenever your curls need a reset.
What do your curls need today?
Start with the problem you're trying to solve.
Define My Curls
Bring back smooth, defined curls and learn how to make the style last.
Refresh My Curls
Revive tired curls without starting your entire routine over.
Wash + Detangle
Remove buildup, restore moisture and gently work through tangles.
Dry or Puffy?
Troubleshoot dryness, frizz, buildup and loss of definition.
Which Products?
Learn when to use mousse, leave-in, cream, gel and more.
Wigs + Lace
Find storage, nighttime, lace, heat, swimming and travel care.
How to Define Your Curls
For smooth, defined curls that last, follow this order.
Start Very Wet
Water matters. Fully wet the hair before applying your styling products. If a section starts drying while you style, add more water before adding more product.
Apply Products Evenly
Work in sections so every part of the hair gets water and product. Too much product can weigh the curls down and cause buildup, so start with less and add more only when needed.
Define
Use your fingers or styling brush to distribute product and encourage the curls to clump. Work through one manageable section at a time.
Dry Completely
Air-dry, diffuse or use a hooded dryer depending on your desired finish.
Do not separate, pick, fluff, sleep on or heavily manipulate the hair while it is still damp.Fluff
Once completely dry, gently separate curls or use a pick at the roots until you reach your desired fullness.
Choose Your Finish
Try mousse.
Lightweight definition, movement and a softer finish.
Try leave-in or cream + gel.
More moisture, stronger hold and longer-lasting definition.
Try a light leave-in + mousse.
Added moisture without the stronger finish of gel.
Keep It Simple
You usually only need water + one moisture product + one styler. Adding more layers does not automatically give you better curls.
Refresh, Don't Start Over
Curls looking tired? You may not need another full wash day.
Quick Refresh
- Lightly rewet the areas that need help.
- Add a small amount of styler only if needed.
- Redefine those curls with your fingers or styling brush.
- Allow the refreshed sections to dry completely.
- Separate or fluff only after they are dry.
Start With Water
If the hair feels dry, looks puffy or is losing definition, your first instinct may be to add more product. Try water first.
Water can reactivate products already on the hair. If water is not enough, add a small amount of leave-in, cream, mousse or gel depending on what the hair needs.
If the hair already has several layers of product on it, adding more may make the problem worse. It may be time to wash.
Wash Day
Regular washing removes product, oils, dirt and buildup that can leave curls dull, stiff, tangled or difficult to define.
How Often?
For frequently worn hair, a good starting point is about once a week or every 5–7 wears. Adjust based on how often you wear the hair and how much product you use.
Saturate
Thoroughly wet the hair with lukewarm water.
Shampoo
Use a moisturizing shampoo. Focus on cleansing without aggressively rubbing or tangling the curls together. One thorough shampoo is usually enough.
Condition
Apply a moisturizing rinse-out conditioner with plenty of slip. Work it through the hair using downward motions.
Detangle
Detangle while the conditioner is still in the hair. Work in sections, beginning at the ends and slowly moving upward.
Rinse + Style
Rinse thoroughly, then apply your leave-in and styling products while the hair is still very wet.
Dry Completely
Air-dry, diffuse or use a hooded dryer. Fluff only after the hair is fully dry.
When Should I Clarify?
A general starting point for frequently worn hair is about every 10–15 wears, or whenever normal washing is no longer removing the buildup.
Your hair may need clarifying if it:
- Feels coated, waxy or unusually stiff
- Feels dry even after adding moisturizing products
- Looks dull or limp
- Becomes harder to detangle
- Has been repeatedly refreshed with product
- Takes longer than usual to fully saturate with water
Detangle Without Creating More Tangles
How you detangle matters just as much as what brush you use.
Do
- Work on wet, conditioned hair
- Use a rinse-out conditioner with good slip
- Divide the hair into manageable sections
- Start at the ends and work upward
- Add more water if the hair begins drying
- Take extra time with longer lengths
Avoid
- Aggressively brushing dry curls
- Starting at the roots
- Detangling all of the hair as one section
- Repeated unnecessary brushing throughout the week
Remember
Excessive brushing and manipulation can increase shedding. Longer lengths also require more patience because there is simply more hair available to tangle.
Troubleshoot Your Curls
Before adding another product, figure out what the hair is actually asking for.
My curls are puffy or frizzy
Some frizz and added volume are normal with textured hair.
Check these first:
- Was the hair wet enough? Rewet the section.
- Was product evenly distributed? Work in smaller sections.
- Did you touch the hair while damp? Let curls fully set first.
- Need more hold? Try mousse or gel.
- Could it be buildup? Wash instead of adding another layer.
My hair feels dry or brittle
Dry-feeling hair does not always mean it needs more product. Heavy buildup can coat the strands and make the hair feel rough, stiff or brittle.
Ask yourself:
- When was the hair last shampooed?
- Has it been clarified recently?
- Have several products been layered repeatedly?
- Does the hair feel coated while wet?
- Does water seem to sit on the hair?
If buildup is present, cleanse first. Then follow with moisturizing conditioner or a deep treatment.
I need more moisture
Start with water.
If the hair still needs more moisture, follow with a small amount of leave-in conditioner or moisturizing cream. Deep conditioning can help when the hair needs a more thorough reset.
Avoid automatically reaching for heavy oils. Too much oil can create buildup.
I need more definition
Rewet the section, distribute your styler evenly, redefine the curls in smaller sections and allow them to completely set before touching or separating.
For stronger definition, use a styling product with more hold.
I need more hold
Mousse: lightweight definition, movement and a softer finish.
Gel: stronger curl clumping, longer-lasting definition and more frizz control.
Products We've Tried and Love
These are products we've personally tested with Nahara's Curls hair. Other products may work too. This list simply gives you a reliable place to start.
Hydrating Shampoo + Conditioner
- Innersense Hydrating HairBath
- Innersense Hydrating Cream Conditioner
- Amika Hydro Rush Shampoo
- Amika Hydro Rush Conditioner
Cleansing + Clarifying
- Kinky-Curly Come Clean
- AG Apple Cider Vinegar Balance Sulfate-Free Shampoo
- AG Apple Cider Vinegar Balance Sulfate-Free Conditioner
Leave-Ins + Moisture
- Bounce Curl Moisture Balance Leave-In Conditioner
- Bounce Curl Defining Butta
- Unite 7 Seconds Leave-In Spray
- The Doux C.R.E.A.M. Twist & Curl Cream
- CurlDaze Ultra Moisture Crème with Kukui Oil
Mousse + Foam
- Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Curl Defining Mousse
- The Doux Mousse Def Texture Foam
Deep Conditioners
- It's A 10 Miracle Mask
- Amika Hydro Rush Deep Conditioner
Gels
- Innersense I Create Hold
- Innersense I Create Curl Memory
- CurlDaze Glossy Shine Gel
Detangling Tools
- Bounce Curl Brushes
- Denman D3 7-Row Brush
- Olivia Garden Finger Brush – Medium
- Unbrush Detangler
Products We Don't Recommend
- Suave products
- Cantu Beauty
- Gorilla Glue
- EcoStyler
- Wetline Xtreme Gel
- Anything that leaves the hair excessively dry or coated
Care by Curl Texture
The core routine works across our textures, but your styling products can change depending on your desired finish.
Loose Waves
Avoid unnecessarily heavy creams or oils. Start with water, a lightweight leave-in and mousse or a light-hold styler.
Loose Curls
Lightweight leave-ins, mousses and lighter gels help maintain movement while adding definition.
Tight Curls
Give Aura plenty of water. Use mousse for a softer finish or cream + gel when you want more moisture and definition.
Compact Coils
Style on soaking-wet hair in smaller sections. For stronger definition, use a moisture base followed by a styler with hold.
More Care
Keep these extra instructions handy for wigs, clip-ins, installs, travel and heat styling.
Nighttime Care
Wigs
When possible, remove your wig before bed and place it on a mannequin head or wig stand. Never store it while wet.
Clip-Ins
Do not sleep in your clip-ins. Remove them carefully and make sure they are fully dry before storing.
Installed Hair
Loosely gather or pineapple the curls when appropriate and protect the hair with satin or silk.
Wig + Lace Care
HD lace is delicate. To help preserve it:
- Avoid unnecessary pulling or tugging
- Avoid repeatedly dragging brushes across the lace
- Use gentle products near the hairline
- Avoid heavy oils and drying alcohol-based products near the lace
- Remove adhesive carefully
- Store your wig on a mannequin head when possible
Heat Styling
Nahara's Curls hair can be heat styled. Always use heat protectant.
For regular heat styling, we recommend keeping tools around 375°F or below to help protect the integrity of the hair.
Repeated high heat can permanently loosen or alter the original curl pattern.
Clip-In Care
- Remove clip-ins before sleeping
- Install and remove slowly
- Avoid unnecessary tugging at the clips
- Detangle gently
- Wash when buildup becomes noticeable
- Allow them to dry completely before storing
- Store neatly in their satin bag
Installed Bundles
Avoid excessively tight braiding or sewing during installation. Cleanse and care for your scalp while installed.
As a general guideline, avoid leaving a sew-in installed longer than approximately 6–8 weeks.
Swimming
Before swimming:
- Thoroughly wet the hair with clean water
- Secure the hair to minimize tangling
After swimming:
- Rinse thoroughly
- Shampoo when needed
- Condition
- Detangle gently
- Restyle and fully dry
Travel, Climate + Hard Water
Different climates, humidity levels and water quality can change how textured hair feels and behaves.
Hard-water buildup can sometimes leave hair feeling:
- Stiff
- Dull
- Coated
- Dry
- More difficult to wet or detangle
If your normal routine suddenly stops working after travel, consider buildup before assuming the hair itself has changed.
A Few Things to Remember
- Textured extensions behave much like textured natural hair.
- Some frizz is normal.
- More volume throughout the week is normal.
- Longer lengths require additional patience.
- Excessive brushing and manipulation can increase shedding.
- More product does not always mean more moisture.
- Always allow the hair to fully dry before sleeping, storing, separating, picking or fluffing.
When you're not sure what to do next, start with water.
Still Need Help?
Send our team photos or a short video of the hair along with your current wash and styling routine. The more detail you give us, the easier it is to troubleshoot.
Contact Customer Care