How to Get Finger Coils, According to Top Hairstylists
The how-to guide every curly girl needs.


The ultimate dream for any curly girl is to have manageable, frizz-free, perfect ringlets all the time. It's like the Narnia of hair goals—so mystical only a few have seen it in person, yet everyone wishes for it. I mean, having a good hair day is amazing, but the idea of spending hours in front of a mirror styling your strands to perfection is...discouraging. Enter: Finger coils.
Finger coils is an at-home hairstyle that requires no hot tools nor professional skills to achieve. Just patience, your fingers, a whole lot of styling cream and ta-da, curls so bouncy and full of life you'll be the belle of the curly hair ball. In order to achieve #hairgoals, I asked two curly hair experts: Lorraine Massey, owner of salon Spiral (x,y,z), and founder of CurlyWorld, and Stasha Harris, owner of Magic Fingers Studio for tips—and did they deliver! Read on for a finger coils guide that'll take you no time.
Step One: Wash Your Hair Well
In order to get the finger coil curls of your dreams, you're going to need to start with freshly washed hair. Massey recommends using a shampoo that's sulfate-free since sulfates are known to dry out curls. "You would not drink salt water if you are thirsty—shampoo is the hair equivalent," says Massey. "Since birth, we have been geared up to think that bubbles clean, but they hold no cleaning power. Mechanical agitation from your own fingertips does all the housekeeping on your head and everywhere else."
This goes for your conditioner, too! Swapping out your current one for a water-soluble, silicone-free product makes all the difference for the freshest of curls. "Conditioner for the hair is also the body's equivalent to water," explains Massey. She likes to use the shampoo and conditioner from CurlyWorld. See below for additional options.
Shop Our Favorite Shampoos and Conditioners
Step Two: Detangle and Style Your Hair
Perhaps the worst part about having curly hair is the constant cycle of necessary detangling. But you've got to do it. Harris recommends starting from the tips of your wet hair, working your way up to the roots, and then applying a silicone-free styling product of choice all your head. Harris' go-to for finger coiling is the Shine n' Jam Black Castor Flaxseed Oil Styler. To add shine and moisture, she likes to finish with Ampro Vitamin E Oil.
Once your hair is fully saturated with product, Harris suggests to begin twirling small sections of hair strands, starting at the nape of the head, in a spiral-like motion for maximum style volume. Use a comb to distinguish parts and to keep every section the same size. Repeat this spiral twirl motion until your entire head is finished. Don't forget to allow your hair to completely dry if you're going to sleep on it, and then wrap it a satin or silk head wrap. If you're not getting beauty sleep, Massey recommends letting your hair air-dry, and then gently use your hands to scrunch upwards to break the gel cast. Use your hands or a pick to fluff a little at your roots to reveal Instagram-worthy finger coils.
Shop Our Favorite Styling Products
Step Three: Make the Curls Last
You didn't spend all that time for those finger coils to only last a day or two. To keep your curls full of life, Massey recommends doing a "spot cleanse" on your scalp the second or third day of wear with a curl refresher. "Think of your hair like a dress; if you spill something on it, you don't have to take the whole dress off to clean it, you'll just clean that one area," she explains. "The same goes for your hair. Observe the landscape and just direct the spray on those areas that need a little reboot."
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
There are a ton of great options listed below, but if you want to make one at home, Massey says to mix some of your favorite water-soluble, silicone-free conditioner and lavender or distilled water in a spritz bottle. Shake and then spray on frayed curls to breathe life back into your curls.
Other tips to remember: 1) don't comb your coils once their dry 2) don't use any cream-based products once your hair is set, and 3) embrace the trial and error in the curl world. "Remember hair is art, so just have fun with it," says Harris. I couldn't agree more.
Shop Our Favorite Curl Refreshers
RELATED STORIES
Bianca Rodriguez is the Audience Development Manager at Future, covering fashion, beauty, and more for Marie Claire, Who What Wear US and Who What Wear UK. In addition to spearheading SEO content across brands—whether writing about wardrobe must-haves or strategizing how to make eye-catching content—she is also an avid reader with a deep love and knowledge for books of all genres. More often than not, you can find her lounging with a good book on the weekend.
-
Princess Kate Might Miss an Important Middleton Milestone
The Princess of Wales's schedule may have forced her to make a difficult decision.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Supermodels Co-Sign a Resurgent 2025 Sneaker Trend
Emily Ratajkowski joins Rihanna and Dua Lipa in approving the trend.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Lilibet Finds an Unexpected Royal Style Twin in '90s Throwback Photo
Lilibet's floral leggings and hot pink T-shirt look just like one royal relative's 1994 outfit.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Gigi Hadid's Espresso Brunette Hair Color Is Growing Out So Beautifully
The model showed off yet another hair change days after being spotted with silver strands.
By Ariel Baker Published
-
Jenna Ortega’s New Burgundy Hair Has Me Ready for Season 2 of 'Wednesday'
Wednesday Addams, is that you?
By Ariel Baker Published
-
Doechii’s Best Paris Fashion Week Beauty Looks Deserve a Standing Ovation
The Grammy winner cemented her place as a beauty and fashion icon.
By Ariel Baker Published
-
Katie Holmes’s Beachy Waves Are a Masterclass In Unbothered French Beauty
The actor turned heads at the Zimmerman Paris Fashion Week show with her new look.
By Ariel Baker Published
-
Cate Blanchett Redefines the Cool, Slick Bob
Endless short hair inspiration ahead.
By Ariel Baker Published
-
The 11 Best Spring Makeup Trends Are Sexy, Sensual, and Perfectly Luminous
It's dew or die time.
By Jamie Wilson Published
-
Mindy Kaling's New Sharp Lob Haircut Is All My Spring Hair Goals
The actor was spotted in New York City with a new short 'do and we can’t get enough.
By Ariel Baker Published
-
Simone Ashley’s Indie Sleaze Glam Is a Cool-Toned Dream
The actor was spotted in New York City looking like the epitome of cool-toned beauty.
By Ariel Baker Published