When it comes to hair care and styling, mastering the perfect curly hair routine can feel like an expert-level task. Whether you have 3B strands naturally or are trying to find ways to make your waves take shape, understanding your curls is no easy feat. Enter Brazilian curls: the buzziest new curl trend that focuses on using an upside-down styling technique to create next-level volume while maintaining a soft, lived-in texture. Inspired by the curl trends of the South American country, Brazilian curls are the quintessential big, beachy style we all fawn over, and thanks to social media, we’ve gotten an inside look into the many out-of-the-box ways to create Brazilian curls. From Instagram inspo to hairstylist advice, keep reading for your full guide to Brazilian curls.
Brazilian Curls: Who Do They Work Best For
As a wavy hair at best girl myself born into a family of curly-haired women, I understand the appeal of a routine promising big, bouncy curls. However, as Paul Labrecque, creative director, master stylist and colorist at Paul Labrecque Salon and Skincare Spa explains, the trending Brazilian curl method is best suited to those with natural curls already. “The Brazillian curl technique works best on those with naturally curly hair,” he says, cautioning that without the natural curl structure and adequate product, using this technique could lead to unwanted frizz.
How to Style Brazilian Curls, According to an Expert
So, if you’re looking to try the Brazilian curl method yourself, what are the best ways to ensure maximum volume and hold without frizz? According to Labrecque, air drying hair or using a diffuser is key. “The Gamma+ Xcell Dryer ($300) provides a great diffuser with its dryer,” he says. “This one is my fave!” As illustrated by the tutorials above and below, drying your hair upside down—whether it’s in braids or scrunched and clipped with curl product—is essential to giving extra volume at the root and creating that big, bouncy vibe.
To prevent strands from becoming dry, brittle or frizzy during styling, Labrecque recommends a curated concoction of products. “I recommend first applying my signature Paul Labrecque Curly Style ($28) plant mucilage gel combined with the Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Hair Oil ($30),” he begins. “I’ll use this duo on very wet hair, and if I feel the client’s strands are extra dry, I’ll go in with K18’s Leave-In Molecular Hair Mask ($75). Then, I take small sections and twist them around my finger, barely touching the hair so I don’t break the curls up as I diffuse with the dryer. When the hair is 98 percent dry, I start to handle it to help it become more separated and bouncier. If you don’t own a diffuser, dry your strands naturally and when they’re almost dry, turn your hair upside down and shake it. The effect will be the same, but this will take more time.”
