Deciding on Your Natural Hair Routine: Simple Steps for Healthy Curls and Coils
By Lady Carolyn M. Summerset
Crowning Glory — Coils & Kinks
Originally Published April 18, 2013 | Refreshed October 2026
Hello, my beautiful Curl Friends! 💕
What is your natural hair routine? Has it changed over the years? Or are you still trying to find a routine that works for you?
If you've been on your natural hair journey for any length of time, you've probably discovered that what worked beautifully for your hair six months ago may not give you the same results today.
And ladies, that is perfectly normal!
When I first did my Big Chop, caring for my short natural hair seemed so simple. I could jump into the shower, cleanse or condition my curls, apply a little styling product, and be on my merry way!
But as my hair grew, things began to change.
Detangling required more patience. My curls responded differently to certain products. And that quick routine I had grown accustomed to needed a few adjustments.
I began to realize something important:
Your natural hair routine should work for your hair—not the other way around!
Why Your Natural Hair Routine May Need to Change
Our beautiful coils and curls are not necessarily going to behave the same way throughout every stage of our hair journey.
Changes in length, styling habits, weather, product buildup, chemical processing, and the condition of our strands can all influence how our hair responds to a particular routine.
As natural hair grows longer, its weight can also affect how curls hang and appear. The curl pattern itself does not necessarily change, but the way it looks and behaves may be different.
I have even rediscovered products that did absolutely nothing for my hair at one stage, only to try them later and find that they worked beautifully!
That's why I encourage my Curl Friends to remain flexible.
You don't need to reinvent your entire routine every month, but you should pay attention to what your hair is telling you.
1. Your Wash-Day Routine: The Foundation of Healthy Hair Care
Ladies, let's begin with wash day!
Whether you have tightly coiled 4C strands, springy 3C curls, or a combination of textures, cleansing and conditioning should be a regular part of your routine.
A practical wash day might include:
Pre-poo treatment (optional): Applying a little conditioner or suitable oil before washing may help reduce tangling for some hair types.
Gentle cleansing: Use a shampoo suited to your scalp and hair needs to remove buildup, sweat, and excess oils.
Conditioning: Apply a moisturizing conditioner, concentrating on the lengths and ends of your hair.
Detangling: Work patiently in sections using your fingers, a wide-tooth comb, or an appropriate detangling brush.
Leave-in conditioner: If your hair needs additional softness and manageability, apply a suitable leave-in according to its directions.
Styling: Choose a twist-out, braid-out, wash-and-go, protective style, or another look that works for your lifestyle.
Remember, co-washing can be useful between shampoos for some people, but it does not always remove buildup as effectively as shampoo.
A clean scalp and properly conditioned strands are an excellent place to begin.
2. Your Morning Routine: Refresh Without Starting Over
Now, ladies, I know how tempting it can be to stand in front of the mirror every morning, searching for that perfect curl!
But the truth is, we don't necessarily need to start our styling process all over again.
Depending on the hairstyle, your morning routine might be as simple as gently separating your twists, fluffing your roots, or refreshing a few sections.
Try these ideas:
Remove your satin bonnet or scarf carefully.
Use your fingers to arrange your curls and coils.
Lightly refresh only the sections that need attention.
Apply a small amount of leave-in conditioner or styler when necessary.
Avoid excessive combing, pulling, and manipulation.
One of the things I've learned is that more product doesn't always mean better hair!
Sometimes our curls simply need to be left alone.
And ladies, there's nothing wrong with a beautiful, effortless hairstyle!
3. Your Nighttime Routine: Protect Those Beautiful Strands
If there is one step I would encourage every natural-haired woman to consider, it is protecting her hair at bedtime.
All that beautiful styling we do during the day can be disrupted by friction and tangling while we sleep.
A nighttime routine may include loosely twisting or braiding your hair, gathering longer curls into a pineapple, or simply covering your hair with a satin or silk bonnet.
A smooth satin or silk pillowcase can also be helpful.
If your hair needs refreshing, use only the amount of moisture or product necessary. Avoid routinely going to bed with very wet hair, especially when it is tightly covered.
A little preparation at night can make the following morning much easier!
4. How Many Products Do You Really Need?
Oh, ladies, now we're getting to something I know many of us can relate to!
The search for that Holy Grail product!
We've watched the demonstrations, read the reviews, and admired someone else's gorgeous curls.
Then, before we know it, our cabinets are overflowing with shampoos, conditioners, creams, oils, gels, and products we hardly remember purchasing.
But here's something I've learned during my natural hair journey:
Healthy hair care does not require a cabinet overflowing with products.
For many women, a simple routine can be built around a few dependable essentials:
A cleanser suited to your scalp
A good rinse-out conditioner
A leave-in conditioner or moisturizer, if needed
A styling product suited to your desired hairstyle
An optional oil or finishing product
That's it, ladies!
Of course, everyone's hair has different needs. Some curls enjoy richer creams, while others respond beautifully to lighter products.
Learn what works for your crown rather than buying everything that works for somebody else's.
5. Adjust Your Routine as Your Hair Changes
One of the joys of having natural hair is discovering its versatility.
Our curls and coils can be worn short, long, stretched, twisted, braided, or beautifully free.
But different styles may require different approaches.
For example, longer hair may take more time to detangle, while color-treated or heat-styled hair may require additional attention to preventing dryness and damage.
And when the seasons change, you may need to adjust how frequently you cleanse, condition, or refresh your hair.
The goal is not to follow a rigid schedule simply because someone else recommends it.
The goal is to create a routine that supports your hair's condition, your styling preferences, and your everyday life.
6. Don't Forget Your Ends!
Our hair ends are the oldest portions of our strands.
That means they've experienced more washing, styling, friction, and environmental exposure than the newer growth closer to our scalp.
Handle your ends gently, detangle with care, and limit unnecessary heat and tension.
If you notice persistent splitting or damage, a careful trim may be helpful. Remember that split ends cannot be permanently repaired with a cream or serum.
Length retention isn't just about growing hair—it also involves limiting unnecessary breakage along the way.
Simplicity Is Still the Secret!
When I originally wrote this article in April 2013, my message was simple:
Keep your hair-care routine manageable!
And thirteen years later, I still believe that advice is worth sharing.
Your routine doesn't need to be complicated, expensive, or exhausting to be effective.
Be patient with your hair.
Pay attention to how it responds to products and styling techniques.
Give yourself permission to make changes when necessary.
Most importantly, enjoy the journey!
Our natural hair is beautiful in all its textures, patterns, lengths, and stages.
And every crown deserves to be treated with love and care.
Continue Your Natural Hair Journey
1. 10 Ways to Keep Your Natural Hair Moisturized
For additional advice on maintaining moisture in your beautiful curls and coils, read 10 Ways to Keep Your Natural Hair Moisturized.
2. The Beauty Sleep Routine
Discover ways to help protect your curls overnight in The Beauty Sleep Routine: How to Protect Your 3C & 4A Natural Curls and Coils at Night.
Let's Talk, Ladies! 💕
Has your natural hair routine changed since your Big Chop?
Are you a wash-and-go lady, a twist-out enthusiast, or someone who enjoys protective styling?
And most importantly, have you finally discovered your Holy Grail products?
Share your experiences in the comments. I would love to hear from you!
Happy Curls to You!
Lady Carolyn M. Summerset
Crowning Glory — Coils & Kinks
© 2026 Crowning Glory — Coils & Kinks by Lady Carolyn M. Summerset. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or republished without prior written permission of the author.
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