The Basics of Curl Care: Cleansing, Conditioning & Scalp Rituals

GET THE LOOK

The Basics of Curl Care: Cleansing, Conditioning & Scalp Rituals

Caring for your curls doesn’t have to be complicated. Finding the right products, the right routine, and the right mindset can make all the difference.

Whether your curls are loose and bouncy or tightly coiled and voluminous, properly caring for your strands starts long before styling. In this guide, Oribe Brand Ambassador, Stacey Ciceron walks us through the foundational pillars of hair care—from cleansing and conditioning to scalp care and deep treatments—featuring her Oribe favorites for bringing out the best in your curls and coils.

1. Start With a Healthy Foundation: Cleanse & Condition

“A good cleanse sets the stage for everything else,” Stacey begins. While curls and coils often struggle with dryness, skipping shampoo altogether can lead to buildup that weighs curls down, blocks moisture, dulls definition, and prevents products from working effectively. Clean hair hydrates better, absorbs treatments, and styles more beautifully—every single time.

The Truth About Shampooing Type 3 & Type 4 Hair

Sometimes your hair needs more than one cleanse. Shampooing twice is completely normal—and often necessary. Think of the first shampoo as the “lift,” loosening dirt, oils, sweat, and product buildup, while the second is the “clean,” properly purifying the scalp and strands.

Depending on your hair’s needs, Stacey recommends alternating between a clarifying shampoo to remove stubborn buildup and a moisturizing shampoo to restore softness and shine. “Clarifying shampoos shouldn’t be used alone,” Stacey notes, as they’re intended to be followed with moisture.

Eternal Curls Moisturizing Shampoo – A gentle, hydrating cleanse that removes buildup without stripping your curls. Ideal for regular use.
Eternal Curls Cleansing Crème – A rich, conditioning cleansing option perfect for co-washing or for drier, fragile strands that need softness and slip.
The Cleanse Clarifying Shampoo – Your monthly detox. Helps reset your curls, revive bounce, and remove product buildup that regular shampoo can’t tackle.

Conditioning Is Non-Negotiable

Curls and coils love rich, nourishing conditioners that deliver slip, hydration, and softness. “Conditioner is where tangles melt, curls soften, and hair begins to take shape,” Stacey shares. For weekly care, she recommends Eternal Curls Intense Conditioner to instantly hydrate, soften, and detangle. When your hair needs deeper replenishment, alternate Eternal Curls Deep Treatment Masque for a moisture boost that restores elasticity, strength, and overall curl health.

How to Choose Your Cleanse & Condition Pairing

Your cleanse and condition duo should reflect the result you want for your hair—softness, bounce, definition, or manageability. Below are a few pairings to help match your regimen to the challenge you’re solving.

Dryness – Eternal Curls Moisturizing Shampoo + Eternal Curls Intense Conditioner
Heavy buildup – The Cleanse Clarifying Shampoo + Eternal Curls Intense Conditioner
Extreme dryness or breakage – Eternal Curls Cleansing Crème + Eternal Curls Deep Treatment Masque
Lack of definition or curl response – The Cleanse Clarifying Shampoo + Eternal Curls Deep Treatment Masque
Co-wash routine – Eternal Curls Cleansing Crème + Eternal Curls Intense Conditioner

2. Pre-Wash Rituals for Extra Nourishment

If your hair feels dry, tangled, or fragile, adding a pre-wash (or pre-poo) can completely transform wash day. Pre-washing protects the hair before shampooing and helps curls retain moisture during cleansing. It also helps to remove shed hair and knots that may develop after wearing protective styles for extended periods. To dramatically reduce detangling time and breakage, Stacey suggests applying your pre-wash in sections and finger-detangling gently from ends to roots.

Eternal Curls Polish & Protect Oil – Softens curls, reduces friction, and helps melt away tangles before cleansing.
Priming Lotion Leave-In Conditioning Detangler – Ideal if you need extra slip before washing, especially for tighter coils.

3. Deep Conditioning for Strength, Elasticity & Hydration

Deep conditioning is the cornerstone of curl and coil care. Think of it as your weekly reset—restoring hydration, strengthening curls, and preparing your hair for styling. For deeper penetration, Stacey recommends sitting under a hooded dryer or using a heat cap; her personal favorite is hair steamer, especially for low porosity hair. Always comb the product through to ensure even distribution from root to end. Tighter curl patterns (Type 4) often thrive with deep conditioning every wash day or every other wash day. For intensive moisture and improved elasticity, she recommends Eternal Curls Deep Treatment Masque which penetrates the cuticle to deeply hydrate and strengthen. When you want hydration without the weight, Eternal Curls Intense Conditioner offers a lighter alternative for your curls.

4. Scalp Care—Because Healthy Hair Starts at the Root

For many people with curls and coils, scalp care and hair care can feel like two separate worlds. Your scalp might crave lightness, balance, and regular cleansing, while your hair needs richness, slip, and deep moisture. The good news is they can absolutely work together—as long as your routine is intentional.

A healthy scalp is clean, nourished, and free from buildup. Clean roots support healthy growth, and help your styles last longer. Meanwhile, your ends thrive when they’re treated with targeted moisture and protection. The key is learning how to treat each area differently, within the same routine.

Scalp Care—Because Healthy Hair Starts at the Root

For the Scalp (Serene Scalp Collection):

Serene Scalp Exfoliating Scrub – Gently removes buildup, impurities, and flakes without disturbing your curls.
Serene Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo – Keeps the scalp soothed, calm, and clean.
Serene Scalp Densifying Treatment Spray – Ideal for supporting fuller, denser-looking hair over time.

For the Hair (Lengths + Ends):

Eternal Curls Moisturizing Shampoo – A hydrating wash for the strands, smoothing without weighing curls down.
Eternal Curls Deep Treatment Masque – Used on the mid-lengths and ends for slip, elasticity, and deep nourishment.
Eternal Curls Intense Conditioner – Ideal for softness, detangling, and strengthening the curl pattern.

Daily & Weekly Maintenance

Use Eternal Curls Polish & Protect Oil on the scalp to nourish and hydrate or to the ends for shine and softness.
Minimize friction at night with satin or silk pillowcase and/or bonnet.

Your curls deserve that level of attention, and your results will always reflect it. At the end of the day, think of your regimen as a conversation with your hair: What does it need today? What will support its health, its shape, its movement? When every step—from shampooing to nighttime maintenance—is chosen with clarity and care, your hair rewards you with confidence that shows up long before the style is finished.