Ah, the highs and lows of the curly girl! Understanding why your curls do what they do can help lead you to a breakthrough in dealing with your moody tresses. Each curly hair fiber has twists and turns that can cause cuticles to lift and weaken, which can ultimately leave hair rough and difficult to control.

Straight strands, in other words, pretty much follow one consistent pattern. Every curly hair, on the other hand, has its own quirky pattern. Stick a bunch of them on one head and you have a lot of hairs doing their own thing.

The right products can go a long way in getting these independent little rebels to stick together. Here are your three best tips for achieving alignment:

1. Use a shampoo and conditioner that offers extra moisture, as curls tend to be lacking in this arena. Pantene has a whole line of products called Curly Hair Series that produces touchable, tamed curls with endless shine.

2. Apply your favorite styling product while your hair is still wet. The quicker you get the goods on the hair, the more submissive they will be. One of my favorites for finer, less frizzy hair is Pureology’s CuticlePolisher. For stronger curl patterns and less frizz, try Redken’s Rewind 06.

3. After applying your styling product, twist your curls away from your face by winding them around your finger. Do just a few for a more natural look, or go as far as doing the whole head for a more refined curly style. Let your hair dry on its own without touching it. Once dry, scrunch to break any crunch for beautiful, shiny gorgeous curls. Use a finishing product formulated for curly hair, such as Ouidad’s Styling Mist, to set and hold your beautiful curls.