How to Make Curly Hair Hang Down Instead of Poofing Up

For people with naturally curly hair, volume at the roots and poofy hair can be one of the biggest styling challenges. While a little body can look great, too much poofiness can make curly hair styles unbalanced and messy.

If you feel your curls are too airy and have a mind of their own, don’t worry – there are solutions! With the right products, techniques, and haircuts you can transform poofy curls into sleek, elongated strands with hang time.

Why Curly Hair Poofs

To understand how to make curls hang down, you first need to know what causes them to poof up. Here are some of the main reasons:

• Dryness – Lack of moisture allows curls to become frizzy and lose definition. Dehydrated strands have less weight so they stand up.

• Damage – Breakage and split ends make curly hair rough and porous. This creates tangles and knots that push hair upward.

• Incorrect cut – A blunt, one-length haircut adds volume at the roots. Curly cuts with layers are best.

• Shrinkage – The natural curl pattern causes strands to coil up tightly, shortening length.

• Improper styling – Rough handling, brush styling, and other mistakes exacerbate frizz and shrinkage.

• Climate – Humidity and heat cause swelling and expansion of the cuticle, leading to poofiness.

Tips for Making Curls Hang

If your curly mane needs a little less lift at the crown, here are tips to encourage hair to hang down and elongate:

1. Moisturize Deeply

Dry, thirsty curls = poofy frizz. Hydration is essential to make strands supple, silky, and manageable.

• Use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner
• Apply a leave-in conditioner post-wash
• Do regular deep conditioning treatments
• Avoid ingredients like sulfates and alcohols that can dry out hair
• Add lightweight oils and serums to your routine

2. Reduce Physical Damage

Learn to handle curls gently and minimize breakage:

• Detangle with fingers or wide-tooth combs only
• Never brush dry curly hair
• Use microfiber towels and T-shirts instead of terry cloth
• Sleep on satin pillowcases
• Protect hair from sun, wind, chlorine, and heat styling damage
• Dust the ends with split end serums
• Trim regularly to nix splits; every 8-12 weeks is ideal

3. Optimize Your Cut

The right haircut makes a huge difference in giving curly hair hang time.

Ask your stylist for:

• Long layers to reduce density at the roots
• Face-framing layers around the hairline and cheeks
• Shorter layers at the crown to reduce volume
• Lengthening layers through the back to discourage shrinkage
• Avoid blunt, heavy cuts weighted at the bottom

4. Apply Gel for Definition

Gel may seem counterintuitive for making hair hang down, but it helps in 2 ways:

1. It defines curl clumps and prevents strands from bushing out into frizz
2. It adds weight to your hair for a stretched out look

Apply gel to wet hair post-shower and let air dry fully before gently breaking any gel cast.

5. Stretch and Train Curls

Gently coax curls downward as they dry to elongate them over time:

• After washing, apply products upside down to encourage hanging
• Position hair forward and use clips at the roots while air drying
• Use a diffuser on low heat to stretch curl clumps down as they dry
• Wrap hair loosely overnight on soft rollers or flexible rods
• Regularly air dry hair pulled down with gentle tension

6. Try Heat Styling

Using heated tools is optional for making curly hair straighter and elongated. With caution, these can temporarily make texture smoother:

• Blow dry with a concentrator nozzle pointed down on low speed/heat
• Use a tension blow dry brush to pull curls straight while drying
• Wrap sections around a flat iron or curling wand at lower temperatures

Use thermal protectant spray for heat safety. Minimize use to avoid excessive damage to delicate curls.

7. Tame Frizz and Flyaways

Tools like serums and edge control can tack down the wispy hairs that lead to poofing:

• Apply anti-frizz serum all over, especially the roots and hairline
• Use pomades or balms to slick down baby hairs along the part
• Finish with shine spray for sleekness
• Carry travel-size products for touch-ups during the day

Styling Tricks for Less Poof

Certain hairstyles work better than others for reducing volume on top. Here are go-to ideas:

Low Ponytails or Buns

Pulling hair back into a low ponytail or bun puts tension on the roots to flatten them. Keep lengths loose, not tightly pulled.

Braids

Intricate braided styles add weight to make hair hang. For curly hair, braid sections after applying gel or mousse when wet.

Half-Up Styles

Pulling back just the top front section into a half updo removes excess poof. Let the rest hang straight.

Headbands and Clips

Flattening the roots with a headband or bobby pins gives hair a smoother starting point before styling.

Silk Scarves/Durags

Tying a silk scarf or durag at night gently presses hair downward for fewer flyaways and less volume in the morning. Use a loose knot.

Hats

The light pressure from a beanie or baseball cap can help compress poofy roots. Let hair flow out the back opening.

Products for Making Curly Hair Hang

Using the right combination of products helps create sleek, elongated curls:

• Moisturizing shampoo and conditioner – Renpure Coconut Creme Cleansing Conditioner; SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Shampoo

• Leave-in conditioner – Kinky-Curly Knot Today; Cantu Leave-In Conditioning Cream

• Curl cream – Camille Rose Curl Maker; Pattern Beauty Leave-In Conditioner

• Curl definer/gel – Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel; Aussie Instant Freeze Gel

• Frizz serum – John Frieda Frizz Ease Serum; Moroccanoil Frizz Control

• Hair oil – The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density; Verb Ghost Oil

• Edge control – Carol’s Daughter Goddess Strength Edge Control; Style Factor Edge Booster

FAQs

Do short layers help curly hair hang down?

Yes! Shorter layers near the crown remove bulk and reduce the tendency to poof. Long, face-framing layers also encourage hang time.

How can I stretch out my curls for more length?
Positioning hair upside down and using tension while air drying trains curls to elongate over time. Heat styling can also temporarily stretch coils.

Is cutting curly hair wet or dry better?
Cutting hair wet helps the natural curl pattern and shrinkage become visible. This allows for a cut that maximizes hang time when dry.

Can I make my curls hang immediately?
Getting curly hair to hang can take time based on your texture, damage, and length. Quick fixes like ponytails, gels, and serums help, but training curls and getting the right haircut make the biggest difference long-term.

Conclusion

Dealing with too much poof at the roots is frustrating, but very manageable for curly haired gals. Focus on keeping your curls moisturized, minimally damaged, defined, and stretched downward. Be patient – it takes time to train your texture. With the right techniques, your fluffy mane will start hanging down in loose, elongated locks.