We’re breaking down the reasons your naturally curly hair is falling flat and giving you tips for getting your natural curls back.

If you find yourself thinking “my hair is naturally curly but won't curl anymore” you’re not alone. Naturally curly hair can stretch out and lose its bounce, leading to lackluster, undefined curls that don’t perform the way they usually do. Lots of things can make your curls lose their natural pattern, from heat and chemical damage, to improper curl care and product buildup. If your naturally curly hair is falling flat, we’ve got the tips and products to bring your natural curls back. 

If you’re living the ‘my hair is naturally curly but won't curl anymore’ struggle you need to adjust your routine accordingly. These tips will help you regain your natural curls.

Product buildup can weigh down your curls and stretch them out. This is where clarifying shampoo comes in. Once a week use a clarifying formula to keep your curls healthy and intact.

Both moisture and protein play key roles in ensuring the health and strength of each hair strand, particularly for more delicate curl patterns. Add a protein hair mask or amino acid hair treatment to your curly hair routine.

Use only high quality curly hair products to minimize frizz, flyaways, and enhance your curl pattern. Our favorite formulas include curl creams and mousses, anti-frizz serums and hydrating curl refreshers and mists.

The natural texture and structure of curly hair makes it more prone to dryness and damage. So deep conditioning your strands is an important part of any hair care routine, but especially a curly one.

Without the right haircut, curly hair can look shapeless. So a good curly cut enhances the natural shape and pattern of your curls. It’s also important to note that the longer your curly hair is, the heavier it is. This causes the curls to be pulled down, resulting in a looser wave. Adding layers to a longer curly haircut cut can help with this.

If you notice your curls losing their shape, it’s a good idea to avoid chemicals while working on refreshing your curls. Stay away from processes like bleach, hair dye, relaxers and using products with harmful chemical ingredients.

But why is my hair no longer curly? These are some of the most common reasons why your natural curls are losing their definition.

Your loss of curl could be due to broken bonds in the hair shaft. Protein bonds play a major role in the shape and structure of your curls. But things like heat and chemical damage can destroy these bonds, leading to shapeless curls.

Hair damage and dryness go hand-in-hand when it comes to causing shapeless curls. Without moisture, curls fall flat and limp. Add damage to the mix, and you’ve got curls that split, snag, flyaway and tangle.

Product build-up can weigh your hair down, stretching out your natural curl pattern and shape. In addition to flat curls, other signs of product build-up include an oily residue, and dull, stringy strands. Detox regularly for healthy curls.

Damage from chemicals like hair dye, bleach, relaxer, and even sulfates can also cause your curls to lose their definition. These chemicals eat away at the protein bonds in your hair, and over time cause them to break.

Regularly trimming the ends of your hair will help your curls stay healthy and help them hold their shape, before the ends can split. Trim your hair every 6-8 weeks to keep your curls intact. Consult with your stylist for your best trim schedule.

Heat can be just as harsh on your curl pattern as chemical, so protecting your curls before using hot tools is a non-negotiable. Heat damage leads to breakage and thinning and a loss of your natural curl pattern. 

Not caring for your curls properly can also cause your curls to lose their shape. Things like dry brushing and using a wide toothed comb to detangle your curls can cause them to stretch and break. Instead use a curly hair brush.

Another cause of naturally curly hair falling flat is using the wrong products. Curly hair requires a lot more moisture and hydration than other types so if you're using the wrong products your curls will show it.

Your hormones play a huge role in the health of your hair. Hormonal changes like those caused by pregnancy, menopause, and birth control pills, are a common reason for naturally curly hair no longer curling.

Excessively shampooing can cause damage to curly hair by stripping away oil and moisture from the scalp, leading to frizziness and flyaways. Additionally, it reduces the elasticity of curls due to dehydration, resulting in a loss of bounce and springiness over time.

If you’ve come this far and you’re still asking “ why is my hair not curling?” You may not be using the right techniques to care for your curls. Let’s take a look at how you’re heat styling and brushing your curls.

The healthiest way to heat style your hair to preserve your curls and reduce heat damage is to prep them with heat protection spray. Anytime you put heat on your hair, you must protect it. Otherwise you leave your curls susceptible to damage and shapelessness.

Detangling your hair is a must before you brush through them. If you try to run a brush through tangled strands, you risk snagging your curls. Use your fingers to detangle, and be gentle, or you may end up damaging your curls.

When it comes to the question of “why is my curly hair going straight?” It's all about long-term strategies. Adopting healthy hair habits will help you keep your curls healthy and maintain their natural shape. More on each below.

Naturally curly hair can be a challenge to care for. Thick, curly hair is more prone to dryness than other hair types. It’s also more fragile and susceptible to breakage.

So it’s important to use the right routine and hair care products to keep your curls healthy and hydrated.

Your curls didn’t lose their shape overnight, so be patient in your quest to restore them. Everyone's hair is different, so while it may take some people a few weeks to see their curls return, you may have to wait a couple of months.

If you’re in the ‘my hair is naturally curly but won't curl anymore’ camp, Davines products can help you get your natural curls back. Our curly hair products are free of harmful toxins and use natural ingredients to keep your curls healthy and hydrated. Remember that trial and error are often needed to find the best routine for curly hair, so don’t get discouraged if something doesn’t work for your hair type. Still have questions about how to care for your hair? Make an appointment to see a Davines curly-hair specialist near you.

by Jaclyn LaBadia, featured contributor