Textured hair offers endless possibilities for unique, stylish looks. Whether your hair is naturally curly, wavy, or coily, 2024 is all about embracing your natural texture while keeping it healthy, defined, and manageable. This guide covers the best ways to style and care for textured hair, from product recommendations to on-trend hairstyles that celebrate your natural look.
1. Embrace the Natural Look: Let Your Curls Shine
One of the hottest trends for 2024 is to enhance natural curls, waves, and coils. Defined, soft, and voluminous textured styles are everywhere, and embracing what your hair does naturally not only saves time but also highlights your unique look.
How to Achieve It:
- Start with the Right Cut: A layered cut can help enhance the volume and definition of your curls, allowing them to fall more naturally.
- Use a Leave-In Conditioner: To keep curls soft and manageable, use a lightweight leave-in conditioner. This helps reduce frizz and adds moisture, which is essential for healthy curls.
- Define Curls with Gel or Mousse: Opt for a curl-defining gel or mousse that holds your curls without crunchiness. Apply it while your hair is damp, then scrunch and let your curls air dry.
Hair Care Tips:
- Moisturize Regularly: Textured hair is prone to dryness, so deep condition once a week to keep curls hydrated.
- Use a Diffuser: When blow-drying, use a diffuser attachment to keep the curls intact and reduce frizz. Set your dryer to low heat to minimize heat damage.
2. The Textured Fringe: Adding Edge with a Short Crop
The textured fringe is an effortlessly stylish look for 2024. It involves keeping hair short on the sides and back with a longer, textured top that can be styled forward or tousled for volume. This look works well for all hair types, from wavy to coily, and offers a versatile option for a professional yet edgy style.
How to Achieve It:
- Ask for a Layered Fringe Cut: A good stylist will add layers to create volume and shape for the top while keeping the sides and back shorter.
- Use a Matte Clay or Cream: For a tousled effect, apply a matte clay or styling cream to the fringe, and work it through with your fingers for a slightly messy, natural finish.
- Add Some Height: If you prefer a little more volume, use a blow dryer to lift the fringe as you style it forward, creating a thicker look.
Hair Care Tips:
- Regular Trims: The textured fringe requires regular trims every 3-4 weeks to maintain shape and length.
- Clarifying Shampoo: Use a clarifying shampoo once a month to remove product buildup, which can weigh down the fringe and make it look greasy.
3. Defined Waves: For Subtle, Casual Texture
Defined waves are a softer option for men with wavy or curly hair. This style enhances your hair’s natural wave pattern without overpowering your look. It’s a low-key, natural style that’s easy to maintain and highly adaptable, making it perfect for both casual and formal settings.
How to Achieve It:
- Prep with a Sea Salt Spray: A sea salt spray enhances your hair’s natural waves and adds texture without stiffness. Apply it to damp hair and scrunch lightly.
- Let It Air Dry: This style is all about ease, so let your hair air dry for a more relaxed, beachy wave.
- Add Lightweight Cream for Definition: Once dry, add a bit of lightweight styling cream to the ends to keep the waves defined and reduce frizz.
Hair Care Tips:
- Hydrate with a Leave-In Conditioner: Sea salt sprays can dry out hair, so follow up with a hydrating leave-in conditioner to keep your hair soft and healthy.
- Detangle with Care: Use a wide-tooth comb to detangle your waves when they’re damp. Avoid brushes, which can break up the wave pattern.
4. The Shaggy Cut for Volume and Movement
For men with textured hair who want a more carefree, voluminous look, the shaggy cut is making a big comeback in 2024. With its layered structure, this cut adds plenty of movement and works well with naturally wavy or curly hair.
How to Achieve It:
- Opt for a Medium to Long Length Cut: Ask your stylist to create soft layers throughout for a tousled, voluminous effect.
- Add Texture with Styling Cream: Use a curl-enhancing styling cream to boost the natural texture of your hair. Apply it while damp, then scrunch or finger-style for a carefree look.
- Keep It Messy: A key part of this style is its slightly undone look, so avoid over-styling. Let your hair air dry, or use a blow dryer with a diffuser to add volume.
Hair Care Tips:
- Condition Regularly: Shaggy hair can look frizzy if not well-hydrated, so deep condition once a week to keep it manageable.
- Trim Layers Frequently: To maintain the structure of a shaggy cut, get a trim every 6-8 weeks. This keeps your layers in shape and prevents the cut from looking too heavy.
5. Slicked-Back Curls: A Polished Look for Textured Hair
If you’re looking for a more polished style, slicked-back curls offer a refined and modern look that’s perfect for evening events or professional settings. This style is especially great for men with tighter curls, adding sleekness while showcasing texture.
How to Achieve It:
- Apply a Strong Hold Gel or Cream: Start with damp hair, and apply a strong-hold gel or styling cream, working it through your hair from root to tip.
- Use a Wide-Tooth Comb: Comb your curls back gently to achieve a smooth, slicked-back look while maintaining definition.
- Let It Set Naturally: Allow your hair to air dry to hold the shape, or use a blow dryer on low heat for quicker results.
Hair Care Tips:
- Hydrate Before Styling: Applying gel to dry curls can lead to a crunchy texture. Start with a hydrating leave-in conditioner to keep your curls soft.
- Revitalize Between Washes: Slicked-back curls can lose their shape quickly. Spritz a curl refresher or leave-in conditioner to rehydrate curls between washes.
6. The Fade with Curly Top: High Contrast, Low Maintenance
The fade with a curly top is a versatile option that keeps the sides and back short, reducing the overall volume while showcasing natural curls on top. This look combines style and practicality, making it a popular choice for textured hair in 2024.
How to Achieve It:
- Ask for a High, Mid, or Low Fade: The fade type depends on how much contrast you want. A high fade creates a sharp, modern look, while a low fade keeps things more subtle.
- Define Curls with a Curl Cream: Apply a curl cream to the top section of your hair and scrunch to define curls.
- Keep Sides Neat: Use clippers to maintain the fade every 2-3 weeks, ensuring the cut stays sharp and well-defined.
Hair Care Tips:
- Moisturize Regularly: With shorter sides, your scalp is more exposed to the elements. Use a scalp moisturizer to prevent dryness and flakiness.
- Prevent Frizz: Humidity can affect curly tops, so consider using an anti-frizz serum to keep your curls defined and frizz-free.
Essential Hair Care Tips for Textured Hair
Regardless of how you style it, textured hair needs proper care to look its best. Here are some key hair care practices to keep your textured hairstyle healthy and stylish all summer long:
- Hydration is Key: Textured hair types are naturally more prone to dryness, so make sure to use a hydrating conditioner every time you wash your hair. A deep-conditioning mask once a week is also beneficial.
- Avoid Heat Styling: High heat can damage textured hair, leading to frizz and dryness. Opt for air-drying or use a blow dryer with a diffuser on a low-heat setting.
- Silk or Satin Pillowcase: Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase to reduce friction and prevent frizz or breakage overnight.
- Use a Wide-Tooth Comb or Fingers for Detangling: Textured hair is delicate, and a wide-tooth comb or your fingers will help prevent breakage.
- Protect from Humidity: Humid weather can lead to frizz. Use an anti-humidity spray or serum to maintain your style and keep curls defined.
Final Thoughts
2024 is all about celebrating textured hair in its natural, authentic state. Whether you prefer a high-maintenance look like the slicked-back curls or a laid-back shaggy cut, there’s a style for everyone. By choosing the right products, caring for your curls, and embracing your natural texture, you can achieve a look that’s stylish, unique, and perfectly suited to your personality.