curly hair

Natural-haired women: do you want longer-lasting, frizz-free, fully-defined, and super-stretched twist-outs? Then follow a few simple tricks to make your spirals turn out better every time. From protective styling to keep coils safe from the Winter to mastering second-day twist-outs, you'll look your best yet when you keep reading.

Solange Knowles has a full head of curls that many women envy. If you don't have a loose curl pattern or extra length like Solange, there are a few styling methods you can try to achieve hair that is large and in charge. Get tips for creating big bouncy ringlets on natural hair when you keep reading.

Anyone who has ever gotten a comb stuck in her hair while trying to wrestle out a knot knows: there is hair that can be a temporary nuisance, and then there's hair that never does what it's supposed to. So for hair like the latter, there's nothing that you can do aside from beating it into submission with a myriad of hot tools, correct? That's not actually the case, says stylist Vanessa Fernandez of the Butterfly Studio Salon in New York City. It's about what you put into your hair that counts. "I can't stress the need for good products enough," she says.

Quality products that enhance your hair instead of weighing it down will cut out the need for a blast of heat from your blow dryer. "You will need something ultra-moisturising" Fernandez says. Use an oil-based cleansing system that is especially formulated for super-dry hair, which tends to be the most unruly.

Follow up with a hair oil to inject more moisture and reduce frizz. And to enhance the waves you already have, Fernandez suggests finishing with a mousse. "Both products leave the hair shiny, moisturised, and with a good amount of hold without the stiffness," Fernandez says. See? You can have the hair you've always envied . . . without the strand-singeing end result.

Curly-haired women know: hydration is the key to achieving defined ringlets and waves. Let Moroccanoil's intensely conditioning and frizz-reducing Intense Curl Cream ($44.50) be your hair's secret weapon. While you can apply this product on wet hair with a diffuser, another way to use this argan oil-rich product is to refresh second-day strands. For thicker hair, try twirling it into individual curls after spritzing with water. And for waves, scrunch the cream in with your fingers, resetting your style with a diffuser. A little bit goes a long way with this cream, but if you use too much, spray hair with water to avoid a weighed-down finish. If you have a sensitive nose, this floral-scented cream might not be for you. But fragrance lovers will find that thanks to its high-sillage effects, this scented cream might even replace their perfume.

Curl definition. It's the one elusive element for many curly girls. But the secret to bouncy waves and minimal frizz as seen on the likes of Solange Knowles, isn't just about the products you pick. It also requires flawless technique. This one-hand move is equivalent to Michael Jordan's famed flying dunk, but you'll be making moves on the bathroom tile instead of the basketball court. First off, you want to apply product to your curls while they're still soaking wet. This way the formula can do its work on your most elongated curl pattern.

The move: Flip your head over, allowing your ringlets to hang. Use one hand to scrunch hair at ends, and push upward towards your scalp. This will separate curls while maintaining the ideal coiled shape. No time to air dry? You can use this same motion to dry hair. Just make sure to use a T-shirt instead of a towel to keep frizz away. You can also pull out this move on second-day hair when applying a leave-in conditioner to refresh your curls.

Moroccanoil is known for its shine-enhancing, hydrating products for all hair types. But practically anyone can benefit from the brand's Intense Curl Cream ($44.50), a lotion that's an absolute lifesaver for damaged ends and overprocessed hair of all textures. It's especially great for those whose hair is too fine or thin for oils or serums, because the formula combs through looking soft and natural instead of greasy, but still smooths down follicles and makes your hair feel amazing. Our curly-haired tester especially liked how gorgeous her curls looked after blow-drying, even without the use of a diffuser. A word to the wise, though: use it sparingly, as a little goes a long way. You'll also have to like the scent, which is reminiscent of Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo. Beyond that, we can't say enough good things about this stuff, especially because it's versatile for curly girls or straight sylphs alike.

• Kim Kardashian has reportedly gotten her lawyers involved after her image was used to promote plastic surgery in Mexico — Daily Mail
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• As the Evil Queen in Mirror Mirror Julia Roberts endures bird poo on her face and bumblebees on her lip, all in the name of beauty — Us Magazine
• Ashton Kutcher on why he cut his hair: "Jesus wanted [his look] back" — People
• Girls with curls are hitting the streets — Vogue
• Laura Mercier is launching a new lightweight foundation — Fashion Etc
• Looking to get a pixie cut? Find one to suit your face shape — Total Beauty
• Don't waste those finished Diptyque candles. Empty out the wax and turn them into makeup brush holders — Cupcakes and Cashmere