How to Section Curly Hair: A Step-by-Step Guide for Even Product Application

If you've ever finished styling your curls only to find crunchy, over-coated pieces at the front and dry, frizzy bits underneath, the problem probably isn't your product. It's how the product got there.

Sectioning is the step most of us skip at home. It feels fiddly, it's what the salon does, and who has the patience on a weekday morning? But you don't need eight perfect partings and a mirror behind your head. Splitting your hair into just four simple sections is enough to change how evenly your products go on, how much you use, and how long your curls hold up.

Why Sectioning Matters for Curly Hair

Curly and coily hair is dense, and every curl clump wants to grip its neighbour. When you apply a styling product to your whole head at once, most of it lands on the outer layer: the top and the front. The hair underneath, at the nape and behind the ears, gets whatever is left. That's usually the hair that's driest and frizziest to begin with.

Working in sections fixes that in four ways:

• Even coverage. Every strand gets the same amount of product, not just the ones you can see in the mirror.
• Less product, not more. When you can see exactly where the cream has gone, you stop adding "just a bit more" to the same spots.
• Better curl clumps. Smaller sections are easier to rake through and scrunch, so curls form defined clumps instead of a frizzy halo.
• A faster, calmer routine. It sounds slower, but working one section at a time means fewer do-overs, and you're not chasing dry patches once your hair has started drying.

Your Curl Cream goes further, too

Our Curl Cream is designed to moisturise textured hair for at least two days, and a 120g jar is designed to last the average curly about 90 days. That works out to roughly 50 cents a day. The catch is that it only stretches that far when it's applied evenly. Piling cream onto the top layer and then going back for more because the underneath still feels dry is the quickest way to empty a jar in half the time. Sectioning keeps every scoop doing its job, so you buy less often.

The Tools You Need to Section Curly Hair

You don't need a salon trolley. One or two of these will do, and you may already own most of them.

• Alligator clips (our favourite). The salon-style "croc" clip with a wavy, toothed top jaw, a long curved lower jaw and a strong spring. The teeth bite into a thick, twisted section of curls and hold it without slipping, while the open jaw keeps it from being flattened, which is why we reach for them first.
• Duck clips. Slim, flat metal clips with a smooth blade. They lie close to the head and work well for fine or wavy hair, smaller sections, or holding a part flat.
• Scrunchies. Soft fabric bands that won't snag or dent your curls. Use one to loosely band a twisted section, or to pineapple your curls on top of your head overnight.
• Claw clip. Handy for holding the whole top half of your hair out of the way while you work underneath.
• Tail comb. The long, pointed tail draws clean, straight parts. Only use the teeth on wet, conditioned hair, and never comb through dry curls.
• Your fingers. Always on hand. Using your fingertips to make a part gives a softer line and keeps your curl clumps together, which is ideal for Day 2.

How to Section Curly Hair Into Four (Step by Step)

Section on soaking-wet or very damp hair, straight after washing and conditioning. Wet curls part cleanly and take product more evenly.

1. Part down the middle. Use the tail of your comb, or a fingertip, to draw a part from your front hairline back to the nape of your neck. It doesn't need to be perfectly straight.
2. Part from ear to ear. Draw a second part across the crown, from the top of one ear to the top of the other. You now have four sections: two at the front and two at the back.
3. Twist and clip. Loosely twist each section and hold it in place with an alligator clip, so the hair you're not working on stays out of the way.
4. Work one section at a time. Unclip one back section first (they're the hardest to reach, so do them while you still have patience). Apply your Curl Cream, rake it through from roots to ends, then scrunch upward. Move on to the next section.

Very thick or long hair? Split each of the four sections in half again to make eight. The method is the same, just with smaller sections.

How Much Curl Cream Should You Use Per Section?

Less than you think. As a guide, use roughly a 10 cent to 20 cent coin-sized amount of Curl Cream per section, depending on how thick and long your hair is.

Your hair	Curl Cream per section	Four sections
Fine, wavy or shorter	About a 10c coin	About four 10c coins
Medium thickness, shoulder length	Between a 10c and a 20c coin	Adjust to how your hair feels
Thick, long or tightly coiled	About a 20c coin	About four 20c coins

Warm the cream between your palms before you apply it, so it spreads in a thin, even layer. Start at the smaller end. You can always add a touch more to a section that still looks dry, but you can't take product out once it's in. If your curls feel heavy, greasy or look weighed down once dry, use less next time.

Bonus Tip: Layer Your Gel or Mousse Over the Cream

If you like more hold, keep using your favourite gel or mousse. Just put it on after the Curl Cream, in the same section, while your hair is still wet.

1. Curl Cream first. This is your moisture base. It coats each curl with moisture and slip.
2. Gel or mousse second. Glaze gel over the top of the section with flat palms, or scrunch in a palm-sized puff of mousse.
3. Scrunch it out. Once your hair is completely dry, scrunch upward to soften any crunchy cast and reveal soft, defined curls.

Why cream goes first: gels and mousses are built for hold, not moisture. Applied on their own, many can leave curls feeling dry or stiff. Putting a moisturising cream down first means your curls are hydrated underneath the hold, the gel spreads more evenly over a smooth surface, and you get definition that still feels soft. Think of it as moisture on the inside, hold on the outside.

How to Do a Day 2 Refresh

A good wash-day style should carry you into Day 2 and beyond, but curls can look a little flat or fuzzy after sleeping on them. The good news is that yesterday's Curl Cream is still in your hair. You just need to wake it up, not pile more on.

1. Section loosely. Clip your hair into two or four loose sections, using your fingers rather than a comb so you don't break up your curls.
2. Mist with water. Release one section and mist it with plain water from a fine-mist spray bottle until it's damp, not dripping. Water re-wets the cream already sitting in your hair.
3. Add Sea Salt Spray. Mist one to two pumps of Wuli Sea Salt Spray over the damp section. It's alcohol-free, made with Himalayan Sea Salt, Aloe Vera and Argan Oil, and it gives your curls back their texture and grip.
4. Scrunch and go. Scrunch upward from the ends, then move on to the next section. Let it air-dry, or diffuse on low.

If one section still feels dry, smooth a pea-sized amount of Curl Cream over it before you scrunch. That's it.

Common Sectioning Mistakes to Avoid

• Sectioning dry hair on wash day. Dry curls snag and frizz when you part them. Section wet.
• Applying all your product to the first section. Measure per section, not per head.
• Clipping too tightly. A loose twist and clip is enough. You're holding hair out of the way, not setting it.
• Combing on Day 2. Use fingers to section second-day curls, or you'll brush the definition out.
• Skipping the back. Start with the back sections. They're the ones that usually miss out.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many sections should I divide curly hair into?

Four is enough for most people: one part down the middle and one from ear to ear. If your hair is very thick or very long, split each section in half to make eight.

Should I section curly hair wet or dry?

On wash day, section soaking-wet or very damp hair so it parts cleanly and takes product evenly. For a Day 2 refresh, section dry hair loosely with your fingers, then dampen each section as you go.

How much curl cream should I use?

Roughly a 10c coin-sized amount per section for fine or shorter hair, and up to a 20c coin-sized amount per section for thick, long or tightly coiled hair. With four sections, that's about four coins' worth in total.

How long does a jar of Wuli Curl Cream last?

A 120g jar of Wuli Curl Cream is designed to last the average curly about 90 days. Sectioning and measuring per section helps you get the most out of every jar.

Can I use gel or mousse with curl cream?

Yes. Apply Curl Cream first as your moisture base, then layer gel or mousse over the top of each section for extra hold. Scrunch out any crunch once your hair is fully dry.

How do I refresh curly hair without washing it?

Section loosely, mist each section with water until damp, add one or two pumps of Sea Salt Spray, then scrunch and let it dry. The water re-wets yesterday's Curl Cream and the Sea Salt Spray restores texture.

The Bottom Line

Sectioning isn't about salon perfection. Four quick sections and a handful of clips mean every curl gets its fair share of moisture, you use less product, and your style lasts longer. Give it a go on your next wash day. Start with the back, measure per section, and let your Curl Cream do the rest.

Want both products used in this guide? The Curl Definition Bundle pairs our 120g Curl Cream with a 200mL Sea Salt Spray for your wash day and your Day 2 refresh. For more on building a simple routine, read The Five-Minute Curl Routine and The Dos and Don'ts of Using Curl Cream.