12 Curly Hair Hacks That Will Completely Change Your Life

We know it's tempting to rake conditioner through your freshly shampooed strands, but the right way to apply moisturizer to your curls is a press and smooth strategy. Squeeze the conditioner from midshaft to ends. Then, run your fingers through to detangle. "The cuticle for curly hair isn't a smooth cuticle, so you have to smooth it in yourself," explained Eladia. Once the product is distributed, rinse with cool water to close the hair cuticle completely and lock in the moisture.

It can be hard for waves to take shape, but it's all in the twirl. When your strands are dripping wet (even before you blot dry), coax hair into waves by twisting strands away from the face. Add a product like Devacurl Light Defining Gel ($20) to cut down on frizz and help with definition.

We hate to break it to you, but you've been scrunching your waves all wrong. This technique helps each curl separate into gorgeous ringlets. Here's the right way: cup the ends and push curls upward. Squeeze just around the ears, release, then slowly move hands away. Go section by section so that every area gets scrunched equally.

That bowl-like contraption that comes with your blowdryer is a diffuser, and it's one way to dry your curly hair fast. First, spritz wet strands with a flexible hairspray ($25), that way all the frizz that is lurking will stay put. When you use a diffuser like the Devadryer and Devafuser ($160), cup your curls between the attachment and your hand so you can feel when your hair gets too hot. Once your hair is completely dry, hit strands with a cool blast to add even more shine.

While girls with extra coily hair have the Afro pick, wavy and curly textures can use a chopstick to tease strands. Just push hair from midshaft to roots to get more volume (never tease the ends where your want to preserve the curl pattern). You can also use this unusual tool to separate ringlets with without frizzing the hair up.

Curly hair has the tendency to get superdry at the ends. That's because it's nearly impossible for the natural oils at the scalp to make it all the way down the hair shaft, especially when you're not combing and brushing your curls. First, spritz the ends with warm water to open up the cuticle. Then, massage in coconut oil or olive oil.

Got an old pair of ripped tights? Then you have everything you need to stretch your curls out overnight. Cut off the legs and use the control top as a DIY bonnet. Place the pantyhose over your neck then pull up over ears and hair. You'll look a little like Marge Simpson, but this style will help you get more volume on day two.

If your short hair won't stretch into one pineapple ponytail, split the strands into four sections. Loosely layer two rubber elastics (yes, this is one time it's OK to use these particular hair ties) around the hair only once, and place them closer to the ends. "If you put it too tight, you'll have an indent of the rubberband on the hair," said Eladia. "Leave it sort of loose so there is less damage."