Love Your Curly Hair in 2026
If there’s one thing the hair world has finally got right, it’s this: curly hair is not a problem to fix. The 2026 curly hair trends are all about working with your natural texture; not against it. It does not matter if your hair falls in soft waves or tight coils, this year is genuinely one of the best times to lean into what your hair naturally wants to do.
Here’s what you need to know to make the most of your curls this year.
Know Your Curl Type
Before anything else, it helps to understand what you’re working with. If you’ve ever typed “what is my curl type” into Google at 11pm, you’re in good company.
The curl typing system runs from Type 2 (wavy) all the way to Type 4 (coily). Each has sub-categories ( a, b, and c ) that get progressively more defined and tighter as the letter increases.
Wavy hair (Type 2)
This is the gentlest end of the spectrum. 2a hair is a soft, loose wave with minimal frizz and it is pretty easy to manage. 2b hair forms a more defined S-shape along the mid-lengths. And 2c hair is where the wave starts to feel more like a curl (more volume, more frizz potential, and a bit more effort to style).
Curly hair (Type 3)
This is where things get springy. 3a hair has loose, open spirals roughly the width of a thick marker. 3b hair type features tighter, bouncier curls about the size of a sharpie lid. Type 3c coils up into dense, corkscrew-shaped spirals. High volume and loads of personality.
Coily hair (Type 4)
Type 4a sits right at the edge between curly and coily. It has a visible S-pattern and tends to clump well when hydrated. Type 4 hair overall has tight coils or zig-zag patterns with significant shrinkage. All Type 4 textures are highly prone to dryness and need consistent moisture to stay healthy.
If your hair is textured hair of any kind , wavy, curly, or coily, knowing where you sit on this scale changes everything about how you shop for products and style your hair day-to-day.
What’s Trending in 2026
This year, the big shift is that the natural curl pattern is being celebrated, not hidden. You’re seeing this everywhere. On the red carpet, in editorial shoots (yes, even in Getty Images spreads), and in salons right across Australia.
The styles making waves in 2026 lean into shape and movement. The curly bob is huge. It removes weight so coils spring forward with more definition. The curly shag is another one worth considering if you want texture and a bit of an edge without needing to do much.
Shorter cuts are also having a real moment, particularly for people who’ve been carrying around heat-damaged ends for too long.
One of the biggest practical shifts is the move away from heavy gels and crunchy mousses. Products that define curls without weighing them down are replacing the old staples. A good style cream applied to damp hair does the work of hydrating and defining in one step. And the results tend to look more natural and feel better too.
How to Actually Care for Your Curls
Getting your routine right is honestly more important than any single product.
Wash less. Curly and wavy hair doesn’t need daily washing. Natural oils struggle to travel down a twisted hair shaft, so washing too often strips your curls dry. Most curl types do well
with one to three washes per week and your hair will thank you quickly once you dial this back.
For a more detailed breakdown, the team at Intaglio have put together a solid guide on Top 3 Must-Know Hair Tips for Curly Hair that covers washing, drying, and product application properly.
Let it air dry. If you can, skip the blow dryer. Letting your curls air dry is one of the best habits you can build this year. If you’re short on time, use a diffuser on a low heat setting but try to lean on air drying as much as possible.
Deep condition regularly. This one is non-negotiable, especially if your hair is prone to dryness. A deep conditioning mask once a week puts back what washing and the environment takes out. Given the Australian sun, saltwater, and chlorinated pools we deal with regularly, this matters more than it might in other climates.
Layer your products right. Start with a leave-in conditioner on damp hair, then apply your curl cream, and finish with a light oil or serum. This approach , locking in moisture before sealing it , gives you defined, hydrated curls that last longer and frizz less.
When Your Curls Are Damaged
Sometimes curls lose their bounce . They go limp, brittle, or frizzy in a way that doesn’t feel normal. Heat tools, colour treatments, and even hard water can all take a toll over time.
The fix isn’t complicated, but it does require consistency. Swap harsh shampoos for gentler co-washes, use a reparative conditioner after every wash, and cut back on heat styling. Protein-rich products with ingredients like keratin or omega-9 help rebuild the hair structure from the inside.
If your curls have been through a lot, the Intaglio team have written a really practical post on How to Fix Damaged Curly Hair: Expert Repair Tips . It’s worth reading before you spend money on new products.
Also, if you’re ever curious about adding texture to your hair for variety, check out this guide on Ways to Get Effortless Beachy Waves on Every Type of Hair. It’s a good read even if you already have a natural curl.
A Note on That Question Everyone Googles
You’ve probably heard the old one: “does your hair curl when you’re in love?” It’s a fun bit of folklore, but the truth is your curl pattern is mostly genetic.
Tight coils don’t appear because of romance. They appear because that’s what your hair does. Hormones can shift texture over time (pregnancy and menopause are real examples), but love itself isn’t changing your curl type.
What can change your curls is how you treat them. The right routine, the right cut, and a bit of patience go further than anything else.
In Conclusion
There’s been a long time where Australians with coily hair, type 3c, or type 4a textures were made to feel like their hair needed to be tamed or changed to look presentable. That’s shifting slowly, but it is shifting.
The 2026 moment for curls isn’t about a single look or product. It’s about working with what you have. Your natural texture , whether it’s 3a hair, 3b hair type, type 3c, loose 2a hair, or type 4 hair, is not a starting point you need to move away from. It’s already the destination.
If you want professional help, our stylists are worth talking to. Book your appointment here and come in with your curls as they are. That’s exactly the starting point a good curl stylist wants.