10 Tips for transitioning to natural hair

Whether you’re embracing your curls for the very first time, recovering from heat damage or simply aiming for a healthier approach, we’re here to make your transition to natural curly hair smoother, helping you nurture your curls to their fullest potential. 

Bouclème’s mission is to set curls free - helping you embrace and fall in love with your true, natural beauty. It takes time and patience, but the long-term benefits are SO worth it. 

From understanding your curly hair’s needs to mastering fresh styling techniques, here are our top 10 tips. Keep scrolling to reveal the very best version of your hair. 

1 Embrace low-heat styling (or none at all)

We get it – this is the hardest part, and that’s why we’re starting with it. You might be used to styling your hair with heat every single time you wash it (and if not, congrats, you’re over the biggest hurdle). 

Give your curls a break and allow them to gradually spring back by limiting the use of heat on your hair and avoid straightening. Cutting back on heat can be a difficult process to begin with, but you’ll quickly notice the difference in your hair’s health. 

2 Experiment with Bouclème’s 30-Day Routines

Not sure where to start with products? Our 30-Day Routines are designed to ease you into a curly hair regime, offering everything you need to support your transition. Each kit includes a cleanser, conditioner and styling products, giving you a complete set to work with as you explore the best approach for your curls.

If a full kit isn’t for you, start with Style Icons: our bestselling trio for everything you need to give your curls definition and volume. Perfect for all curl types, it includes mini bottles of Curl Cream (an ultra nourishing leave-in conditioner for velvety, bouncy curls); Super Volumising Foam (a lightweight foam that gives exceptional hold and definition); and Curl Defining Gel (a moisturising, medium-hold gel for smooth and defined curls). This stylers kit is a great way to experiment without overwhelm, especially as your curls find their groove. 

3 Give your hair time to adjust to new products

As you adjust to a new curl care routine, you may experience what’s called a ‘transitional detox’. It’s not unusual for your hair to behave differently, and it can take 4-6 weeks to normalise completely. 

Everyone’s hair is different, so what your hair needs is unique. Experiment with your products to figure out your bespoke routine. Generally, hair needs less shampooing than we think. That’s why we have frequent-use cleansers in our range as well as our Scalp Exfoliating Shampoo, which can be used to deep clean and clarify once a month. 

If you’ve been using a foaming shampoo and are now using a non-foaming cleanser like our Curl Cleanser for the first time, your scalp will need to adjust as the sebum production transitions from overproduction to normal. This can take anywhere from 6-12 weeks. 

You may also need to check you’re using the product correctly. Take care to ensure the entire scalp has been cleansed, massaging firmly throughout and then rinsing out fully and effectively. This may take a couple of minutes. Inadequate cleansing may leave your scalp feeling greasy.

If you have fine hair that is easily weighed down, wash with Hydrating Hair Cleanser then moisturise with Curl Conditioner. Apply to the length of your hair and scalp and gently detangle, then rinse out. Once out of the shower, go straight to your stylers.

4 Protect your scalp

Healthy curls begin with a healthy scalp. Our products are carefully crafted to support both scalp and hair health, preserving natural oils rather than stripping them away. With regular use, your scalp will regain its natural balance.

If you’re transitioning from foaming shampoos, you might experience some initial itchiness as your scalp adjusts. Traditional foaming shampoos often contain detergents that strip away oils, which can lead to dryness. While our Hydrating Hair Cleanser uses gentler ingredients, frequent cleansing – even with a mild formula – could still dry out the scalp.

Switching to a non-foaming cleanser may also require a bit of practice, as the technique is different from foaming products. Incorrect application can sometimes lead to an itchy scalp and your roots may feel more greasy as the sebum production normalises. Foaming shampoos increase sebum production so your scalp needs time to adjust. Don’t worry – it’ll soon become second nature! Follow these five steps to get the best results. 

1. Apply the cleanser to your fingertips and massage onto your scalp. Start at the front of your head, adding more to your fingertips as you work your way down the sides, middle and back of your head. 
2. Once applied to your entire scalp, massage firmly in a circular motion using your fingertips for at least 1-2 minutes. This stimulates blood circulation and ensures any dead skin cells are lifted off and can be easily rinsed out.
3. If you’re a regular co-washer, use our Scalp Exfoliating Shampoo once every 4-6 weeks to exfoliate your scalp and give your hair a deep cleanse.
4. If your scalp is particularly dry or flaky, Dry Scalp Serum is the answer. Just as you’d use a serum on your complexion beneath your moisturiser or face oil, these powerful but calming drops nurture your scalp’s microbiome as you use your cleanser or shampoo. No more itching, no more flaking. 
5. If your scalp generally tends to be oily, use our Hydrating Hair Cleanser as it removes more oils than the non-foaming Curl Cleanser. Some scalps benefit from alternating Hydrating Hair Cleanser with Curl Cleanser – this method is great for maintaining optimum moisture balance in both the scalp and lengths.

5 Gentle detangling is a must

As the days and months go by, you’ll notice healthier, stronger hair at the roots. Your natural pattern will become more evident and you may notice a difference in the lengths of your hair – that’s totally normal. 

Be gentle when detangling and styling your hair now, because the point where the new growth and the older lengths meet is extremely delicate and prone to breakage. Just as plants and trees are vulnerable before coming into full bloom, so is your hair. 

Here’s how to detangle with no wincing in four steps:

1. Detangle when hair is wet and slippery with our super-moisturising and lightweight Curl Conditioner. It’s formulated with ingredients proven to penetrate the hair shaft rather than form a film on the surface, which means it can feel like it has less ‘slip’ than other conditioners. 
2. Slip, however, doesn’t always equate to moisture! If your hair is very tangled before washing, use some Revive 5 Hair Oil on dry hair, detangle gently with fingers and finish with a brush. This will prevent hair from becoming more tangled when washing. 
3. Add more water as you apply your Curl Conditioner to help hydrate and move the product through hair, making detangling easier. Do this section by section to ensure the conditioner is applied evenly throughout hair.
4. Use our Wide Tooth Comb, Detangling Wet Brush or your fingers, starting at the ends and working your way up. 

6 Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

Curly hair is often thirsty hair, so moisturising is essential to combat dryness and frizz. Remember that frizz is an inevitable part of being curly and an element of ‘functional frizz’ is necessary for curls to have shape and volume. However, if your hair looks mostly frizzy, something’s gone awry! Here are some helpful troubleshooting tips to experiment with:

1. Leave in more or all of your Curl Conditioner.
2. Ensure your hair is really wet when applying conditioning and styling products.
3. Add a layer of Curl Cream on top of the Curl Conditioner and then seal with Revive 5 Hair Oil for an extra hydration boost. Layering moisture helps curls hold shape longer and reduces frizz, resulting in healthier-looking curls. 
4. Enhance your routine with Intensive Moisture Treatment for deep conditioning (and a little dose of ‘me time’). It not only hydrates, but also strengthens hair to minimise tangling and prevent breakage. For extra nourishment, use it as a leave-in on dry or damaged curls. 

7 Try new techniques for definition

Testing out drying techniques like ‘plopping’ and the ‘praying hands’ styling method is crucial to styling luscious, defined curls.

Plopping

Regular towels absorb vital moisture that your curly hair needs. For plopping, you’ll need a t-shirt material towel like our Curl Towel – or a t-shirt will do just fine. Read our guide on how to plop here.

Essentially, you’re ‘plopping’ your wet hair onto the towel, wrapping it up and letting it dry in its natural pattern without being weighed down by water – simple. 

Praying hands 

With this technique, instead of raking product through your curls, spread it across your palms, take a section of hair and bring your hands together, drawing your hands from roots to ends to coat the hair. Read Curly Hair Styling 101 tips, tricks and techniques and get experimenting.

Got techniques of your own? Share them with us on Instagram – we’d love to hear from you. 

8 Play with styling products to find your perfect routine

Our Curl Cream, Curl Defining Gel and Super Hold Styler each serve unique curl needs. Experiment to see which combination brings out the best in your texture. Try applying products to very wet hair for even distribution and optimal results.

Curl Cream: for beautifully hydrated, naturally curly hair 

Our Curl Cream (fragranced or fragrance-free) is most suited to dry, thirsty curls. It’s very rich and nourishing, so always start with a small amount and add more if necessary. If your hair feels heavy after use, try using less next time. If your curls feel dry or look frizzy, use a bit more. Finer textures, for example, may not need Curl Cream at all – simply leaving in some Curl Conditioner is all the definition they need. 

Always apply to very wet hair when using it on wash day. In between washes, use ½ a pump mixed with some water in the hand, then smooth, squeeze and scrunch into dry areas where needed. 

Curl Defining Gel: no crispiness necessary

Our Curl Defining Gel is great for all curl types. It’s lightweight and has a serum consistency, so won’t weigh down even the finest of textures. It can be used liberally to help set curl definition and smooth away any overnight fluff. This product has a medium hold and needs to be applied to very wet hair to achieve the best results. 

Super Hold Styler: one of the best naturally curly hair products

Our Super Hold Styler is a firm hold gel most suited to waves and loose curls that tend to drop during the day. It’s also perfect for shorter hairstyles, holding fringes or for creating a smooth sleek ponytail/bun. It can be used with the Curl Defining Gel for the ultimate in definition and hold.

9 Try new styles

Wait out the transition phase by mixing things up. Play with your pattern; try braid outs or use flexi rods to blend the new growth with the less curly lengths of your hair. 

Short on time? For quick and chic styles, our Bouclème Silk Scrunchies and Silk-Lined Cashmere Blend Beanie can be lifesavers, letting you style with ease and protect your hair at the same time. 

10 Trim away damage gradually

Healthy, vibrant curls will shine through faster if you gradually trim off damaged ends. Regular trims help remove breakage-prone areas and allow your natural curl pattern to emerge more consistently. 

If you’re not ready for a big chop, just focus on maintaining healthy ends to encourage bouncier curls over time. Find a curly hair salon near you. 

Embrace your journey with confidence

Transitioning to natural curls is a deeply personal and unique experience. The journey might have a few ups and downs, but the results are worth every moment of patience and care. Take your time to get to know your hair and listen to what it needs – experiment, play and enjoy the process! 

It’s a journey – celebrate every step and don’t give up if you experience a setback. Our team is always here for you – contact us at info@boucleme.co.uk if you have any questions or need advice.