How To Manage All Hair Types

Like hues on the colour wheel, our hair types lie mostly on a spectrum—from fine and straight to fine and curly, or thick and straight to thick and wavy, options abound when it comes to what type of hair we have.

So, let’s break down some basics to help each of us get our best hair look yet. Whether you need a sea-salt hair spray to help perfect those waves or a curl-defining cream to bring back your bounce, we’ve got you covered.

Fine, straight hair

Fine, straight hair can easily be weighed down and look greasy or oily, so look to a clarifying shampoo to help remove any buildup without stripping your hair. L’Oréal Paris Extraordinary Clay Shampoo contains three mineral clays to help purify the scalp and hair while it hydrates all the way to the ends, leaving hair fresh for up to three days.

When using conditioner, like L’Oréal Paris Extraordinary Clay Conditioner, apply only to the ends and lengths of your hair, avoiding the roots. Always use a wide-tooth comb to remove tangles, as this will help minimize breakage. And don’t forget to add a dash of dry shampoo to your roots after you’ve dried your hair (this will add a boost where you want it most) and at night before bed (this will help soak up any oil in your hair while you sleep).

To add a bit of texture to fine, straight hair, spritz a tiny amount of L’Oréal Paris Stylista #Beachwaves Texturizing Mist in your hands and work it through your lengths for some oomph. Don’t forget to flip your head over while you’re blow-drying—this will add height at the roots. If flyaways are your enemy, take a tiny amount of styling cream and scrunch it into the ends to help create definition and pat down flyaways at the crown.

Fine, curly hair

Most of the above still applies—a clarifying shampoo and conditioner will help make sure that fine, curly strands aren’t weighed down—but go for a curl-defining cream, like L’Oréal Paris Stylista #Curls Defining Spray, instead of a regular styler to add more definition.

And make sure to indulge your strands with an oil treatment overnight or add a little hair oil to the ends of your hair for moisture and definition. Try L’Oréal Paris EverStrong 10-in-1 Strength Potion.

Fine, wavy hair

Adding a dash of sea-salt spray is a must for those with fine, wavy hair. Try L’Oréal Paris Stylista #Beachwaves Texturizing Mist for added dimension if your hair seems limp or lifeless. Make sure to avoid the roots; you can add dry shampoo to the roots for a boost of volume and to create texture. A natural-bristle hairbrush will also help keep strands smooth and silky. If you’re trying to extend the time between washes, a good brushing followed by a spritz of texturizing mist will help to bring locks back to life instantly.

Thick, straight hair

Many pine for thick hair (hello, inventor of extensions!), but if you have hair that can’t be contained by one flimsy elastic band, you likely have mixed emotions about it—like the rest of us. Start off by keeping your hair hydrated with the help of a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, like L’Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture Shampoo and . If you are prone to static or dry hair, add a leave-in conditioner two or three times a week to help up the moisture factor.

Want to know how to style long hair in a pinch? Invest in a blow-dryer with multiple settings. Use heat to dry hair about 90% and then blasts of cool air to help style. A blow-drying wand/brush combo might also help take your drying time down to a minimum while promoting sleek strands.

Add a pump or two of L’Oréal Paris Stylista #Sleek Smoothing Serum to the ends to give some dimension to long, thick locks; work a tiny bit into your hair at the crown of your head to help control any flyaways.

Thick, curly hair

A moisturizing shampoo and conditioner will definitely be your friends if you have thick, curly hair. Also, add a wide-tooth comb to your arsenal to help pick out curls near your roots, giving you some lift at the crown of your head.

Curly-haired girls know not to be afraid to add moisture in the form of a styling cream. Try L’Oréal Paris Stylista #Curls Defining Spray Work the product through your hair, but be sure to avoid the roots so you don’t end up with a look that screams too much oil.

A blow-dryer with medium to cool settings will be your BFF here—as well as a diffuser to help sculpt curls without drying them out. The best heat protectant is L’Oréal Paris Stylista #Blowdry Heat Protective Primer, which contains grapeseed oil. Spray it on damp hair before blow-drying or air-drying.

Thick, wavy hair

Moisture is as necessary for thick, wavy hair as it is for the other hair types, but use the potent mixture of a sea-salt spray to create texture, like L’Oréal Paris Stylista #Beachwaves Texturizing Mist, and a hint of styling cream to keep locks hydrated.

To avoid too much heat styling, twist your hair into a low bun (or two, depending on how thick your hair is) and leave in overnight to create smooth waves. In the morning, simply spray a little heat protectant, like L’Oréal Paris Stylista #Blowdry Heat Protective Primer, in your hair, diffuse it until dry and run a curling iron through for added texture and defined waves. Use your fingers to brush it out for a done/undone look.