At one point or another, many of us have put the health of our curls & coils on the back burner in favor of achieving sleek, straight styles or rocking the latest trends.
But here’s the thing: While trends & styles may come & go, our hair is here to stay. If only we could go back & tell our younger selves to love on our natural texture!
Fortunately, learning how to get your curl pattern back in full force is as easy as reading this blog. Below, we’re sharing expert tips for bringing your curls back to life & restoring their natural bounce & beauty.
Why Did Your Curls Lose Their Bounce?
There’s more than one answer to the question, "Why is my hair losing its curl?" Let’s dive into some of the most common culprits behind this change.
- Chemical treatments – Relaxers or color treatments can alter your hair’s natural texture. That’s because the chemicals in these treatments weaken your curls, making them less defined—until you nurture them back with plenty of moisture & care.
- Product build-up – Turns out, it is possible to have—or in this case, use—too much of a good thing. Heavy products meant to hydrate & define your curls can weigh them down, making it tough for them to spring back with their natural bounce. (But don’t worry—clarifying shampoos, such as the PATTERN Cleansing Shampoo, can quickly remove excess buildup so your favorite products can keep doing their thing without compromising curl definition & volume).
- Over-manipulation – Remember those days as a kid when you brushed your curls & waves because everyone else did? Then you likely remember how your hair transformed into a cloud of untamed texture. Unfortunately, over-manipulation can lead to natural hair breakage & frizz, stealing your curls’ vitality.
- Dehydration – Curls & coils crave moisture given their distinct structure. Without it, your hair can become dry & brittle, impacting both hair elasticity & texture.
Finding Your Long-Lost Curls: A Step-By-Step Guide
Ready to revive your curls to their former glory?
Let’s walk through our three simple steps for reawakening your gorgeous curls.
Step 1: Assess Your Current Hair Health
The first step to learning how to get your curls back is determining their current state of health. Here’s how to check in:
- Examine your hair’s elasticity – Healthy curls are soft & springy. To test their elasticity, stretch a strand of wet hair. If it bounces back easily, you're in good shape. If it breaks or falls limply, your strands might be showing signs of damage.
- Check for split ends – Take a look at the ends of a few strands. Healthy hair should be smooth & intact. If you notice more than a couple of split ends, a trim could help promote healthy growth & restore curl definition.
- Assess moisture levels – To gauge your hair's moisture level, try the water test: Take a clean strand of hair & place it in a glass of water. If it sinks, your hair could be dehydrated. If it floats, you’re likely in an acceptable moisture range.
Step 2: Use Techniques for Reviving Your Curl Definition
Just because your curls aren’t showing up with the bounce they once had doesn’t mean they can’t come back to life. A little extra lovin’ will have your curls thanking you with tighter, more defined ringlets in no time.
Here’s how to get back your natural curls with a few simple methods:
- Deep conditioning – If your hair is craving some serious hydration, a deep conditioning treatment like the PATTERN Breakage Barrier Mask is the way to go. It works alongside your regular wash day routine, giving your curls a much-needed moisture boost that penetrates deep into the strands. After treatment, you’ll be one step closer to replenishing lost hydration & restoring softness & shine.
- Curl-friendly products –Not all hair products are created equal & your curls deserve only the best. So, make sure you're using hydrating shampoos, rich conditioners & styling creams designed specifically for curly hair. These products help enhance your natural curl pattern, define your texture & lock in the moisture your curls need to thrive.
- Protective styling methods – From box braids to twists, protective styles are your curls’ best friend. They minimize breakage & lock in moisture, giving your hair a chance to grow & strengthen. When it’s time to let your curls down, they’ll be ready to bounce back better than ever.
Step 3: Incorporate Curl-Friendly Products for Your Hair Type
Curly products can be a lifesaver when you’re learning how to get your natural curls back. But choosing the right products for your unique hair type is just as crucial to your success:
- For fine or thin curls – On wash day, reach for a volumizing shampoo paired with the PATTERN Lightweight Conditioner. Infused with Coconut Oil & Irish Moss, this combo offers moisture without weighing your hair down. For styling, try the PATTERN Curl Mousse to add weightless volume—perfect for wash-and-go styles or soft finger waves that stay bouncy & defined.
- For wavy textures – Start with the PATTERN Hydration Shampoo, which is designed to gently lift away product buildup while delivering a serious moisture boost. Follow up with our Medium Conditioner for enhanced volume & curl definition. For even more curl love, finish with the PATTERN Curl Gel, which helps create well-defined waves that hold their shape without feeling stiff.
- For curly or coily hair – The curlier the texture, the more moisture it longs for. After using our nourishing Bounce Back Pre-Poo, reach for the PATTERN Heavy Conditioner packed with rich ingredients like Avocado Oil & Shea Butter. This thick formula helps lock in hydration from root to tip, giving your curls the love they need to stay healthy & bouncy. For extra definition, use the PATTERN Strong Hold Gel—perfect for forming tight, springy curl clumps that hold their shape all day.
- For tight textures – Give your natural texture the ultimate hydration boost with the PATTERN Intensive Conditioner. This deeply moisturizing formula is designed to infuse each strand with nourishment while also protecting against breakage & helping restore your curl pattern to its fullest potential. To finish, use our Styling Cream, which can provide an extra dose of moisture. It can enhance curl stretch & elasticity, leaving your curls feeling their juiciest & looking their most defined with lasting hold & bounce.
Best Tips to Bring Back Your Natural Curl Pattern
When it comes to natural textures, you can never have too many tips in your curl care toolkit. That’s why we’re sharing all of our favorite secrets:
- Clarify your hair – Since many of us don’t wash as often to preserve our hair’s natural oils, buildup can happen. As mentioned earlier, a clarifying shampoo gently cleanses away products, dirt & dead skin while keeping hydration intact—leaving your curls fresh, not thirsty.
- Dry your hair with a microfiber towel – Skip the old-school cotton towel. A microfiber towel is softer on your curls & better at soaking up excess water. In fact, it absorbs water quickly without disrupting curl formation, giving you a head start on styling your best curls.
- Finger coil your curls – Sometimes, your curls need a little help embracing their true shape. After applying your favorite curl cream or gel, take small sections of hair & twist them around your finger to encourage definition & enhance your curl pattern.
- Refresh curls with a steamer & leave-in conditioner – In between wash days, look no further than the PATTERN Hair Steamer to work wonders. It opens up your hair’s cuticles so that ultra-nourishing products, such as the PATTERN Leave-In Conditioner, can penetrate deeper. This helps keep your curls hydrated & bouncy until your next pre-poo session.
Create a Consistent Curl Care Routine for Long-Term Results
You’ve learned how to revive your curl pattern, & you’ve gathered some essential tips. So, what’s next?
It’s time to establish a post-wash care routine that you can easily put on repeat:
- Detangle with care – After gently blotting away excess water with a microfiber towel, grab a tool like the PATTERN Wide-Tooth Comb. Start at the ends of your hair & work your way up to the roots. This method of combing your hair can minimize breakage & keepyour curls intact.
- Apply products on wet hair – For best results, apply your styling products to wet (not dripping) hair. This technique helps seal in moisture & ensures that creams, mousses & gels distribute evenly through your curls for a consistent application.
- Define your curls – With your products in place, use your hands to gently scrunch your curls upward. This encourages natural curl clumps to form & enhances their bounce.
- Use a diffuser – When it’s time to dry, reach for the PATTERN Diffuser Attachment on your blow dryer & set it to low heat. This method helps preserve curl definition better than air drying, keeping your ringlets tight & perfectly voluminous.
Rediscover the Beauty of Your Natural Texture with PATTERN
Reviving your curls is like rediscovering a chapter of yourself that you might have thought was lost. The good news is that with just a few updates to your hair care routine (& products tailored to your unique texture), you can rewrite the story of your curls—& make it one that’s all about bounce, definition & fullness.
And at PATTERN, we’re here to help. Our products are crafted with curly, coily & tight textures in mind & designed to meet you at every stage of your curl care journey. With safe, nourishing & high-quality ingredients, we make it easy to enhance & embrace your natural curls & coils.
Shop our collection of curl defining products today to get started.
Sources:
UCLA. Femininity, Hair Relaxers, & the Impact of Beauty Standards on Black Women’s Health. https://csw.ucla.edu/2017/10/27/femininity-hair-relaxers-impact-beauty-standards-black-womens-health/
Allure. Here’s What’s Probably Causing Your Hair Breakage. https://www.allure.com/story/reasons-your-hair-is-breaking-off
