Curls get a bad reputation for being high-maintenance, but most of that comes from routines built for straight hair. Curly hair isn’t harder to care for — it’s cared for differently. Here’s the routine that actually works, and what a single salon appointment can and can’t do for you.
The three parts: cut, styling, treatment
Healthy, defined curls come from three separate things working together, and they are not interchangeable:
- The cut. Curls should be cut dry, curl by curl, so the shape follows how your hair actually springs — not a wet, one-size template. A cut shaped around your curl pattern is the single biggest factor in how your hair looks on an ordinary Tuesday, because it determines how your curls fall and clump.
- Styling. Curls want moisture and hold applied while wet, then to be left alone while they dry. Scrunch, don’t rake; dry with a diffuser or air-dry, and resist touching until fully dry to avoid frizz.
- Treatment. Curls are naturally drier than straight hair because the scalp’s oils can’t travel down a spiral shaft. A deep, curl-specific treatment puts that moisture back — this is where most home routines fall short.
The Davines LOVE Curl service
At Red Market, our Davines LOVE Curl Styling is $70. It’s a luxury styling experience built specifically for naturally curly and textured hair: the sustainably sourced LOVE Curl collection deeply hydrates, enhances curl definition, minimizes frizz, and improves elasticity — so your curls spring instead of sag. It’s styling plus treatment in one, and it’s the fastest way to see what your curls can actually do.
What one appointment can — and can’t — change
Be honest with yourself about expectations. One appointment can give you a cut that lets your curls fall the way they want to, a treatment that puts moisture and bounce back, and a styling session that shows you the technique to recreate at home. That’s a lot, and for many guests it’s the turning point.
What it can’t do is rewrite your hair: a single visit won’t permanently change your curl pattern, erase years of heat or color damage in one sitting, or replace your daily routine. Curls are a practice. The salon gives you the cut, the hydration, and the method — the day-to-day is yours, and it gets easier once the right cut and products are in place.
Ready to let your curls do their thing? Book online or read more about our curly hair services in NYC.
Learn more about Curly Hair NYC at Red Market Salon, New York.