So what’s a curly girl to do? Should you reach for different stylers to target each and every curl pattern you see or slather on a single defining curl cream and pray for the best? Below, hairstylists weigh in on how to manage your whole mane: The key to cocktailing is to make sure your products don’t separate, as not all stylers can be cocktailed together. According to Bowman, “oils can be mixed with creams, gels, or mousses. Never mix creams, gels, or mousses together; always layer these products!” To test, hairstylist Gigi Lenora suggests mixing the products on the back of your hand and see if they separate—if the products don’t mesh well together, chances are they won’t combine on the strand. Most curlies will benefit from a member of each category, even if you ultimately have different textures on your head: “In my experience with my afro hair and working behind the chair with many different hair textures, I’ve found that if there is a product represented in each of these three categories, working together, your natural hair can flourish beautifully,” says Lenora. Even if there are some stray curls thrown into the mix, a healthy hair care regimen can keep everything looking even and full.
