August 04, 2025•10 min read ★
Curly Hair Care for Kids in the UAE: Why It Starts Early
Firstly, it’s important to understand that curly hair care for kids goes beyond a Google search for finding the best curly hair products for kids. Curly hair care begins with identity.
While curly hair has now become somewhat of a trend over the last few years, for many of us, growing up with naturally curly hair was, and still is, an uphill battle.
Growing up, this was part of our identity that was not adequately catered to and ignored by conventional beauty standards. We were told our hair needed to be tamed and chemically treated for it to be more manageable and viewed as beautiful.
The concept of curl care for kids didn’t exist. Only recently, with the rise of Curly Hair Salons in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, have curl care services for kids become more widely available - and we've reviewed the best curly hair salons for kids in Dubai to help you find trusted curl specialists for cuts, treatments and styling.
While many of us are only now reclaiming our curls in adulthood, the next generation deserves something more, something better, something earlier - we need this same care and curl confidence built and nurtured in children with curly hair.
Curly Hair Care for Kids in Dubai: Identity First, Products Second
Curl confidence starts young, and as parents, we lay the foundation. Our children learn by watching us - seeing us wear our curls with pride, styling them and caring for them. What a delight it is to hear curly kids say “I want curls just like mummy” or daddy.
Curly care for kids should be rooted in identity and seen as a true beauty feature that is the norm - not something different. It also goes beyond simply detangling for curly kids.
This is why we created the Mummy & Me Curl Experience, Dubai - the first of its kind in the Middle East. It was not curated as just another a curly hair event in the UAE. Nor just a styling event, but a celebration of identity, heritage and natural hair, affirmed through rituals, education and intentional moments of connection between a mother and her curly kids. A space where children see themselves and their curls as worthy of celebration, not later but now.
Inside Edition One: A Closer Look at The Mummy & Me Curl Experience
Every moment of the experience was curated to affirm identity, educate and celebrate through unique rituals. Here’s how we brought this to life:
Curl Quest
We designed a full sensory discovery zone where little ones explored textures, porosity and scent - learning the science of their curls through touch, smell and guided curiosity.
Styling Station
A hands on expert guided station with Missa of BouclebyMissa where mums learned techniques to detangle, style and protect little curls at home.
Mirror Me
A live keepsake illustration station where mothers and children sat for hand drawn portraits, a visual memory of connection, the moment they embraced their curls together.
Quiet corner
A peaceful breakout space filled with affirmation colouring sheets, books and calm. Designed as a reset space for overstimulated children to rest.
These stations where thoughtfully considered to ensure they weren’t just cute moments but moments that formed part of an impactful and meaningful experience - a blueprint for raising confident kids.
Take a look at what made this uniquely curated kids event in Dubai so memorable here.
Edition Two is Coming!
Spots for Edition One were filled within days.
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Why Curly Hair is Part of Your Child’s Identity: A Parent’s Guide
It’s easy to forget, but research shows us that a large percentage of children’s behaviour and development forms during the first five years of their life - a critical time when their belief system is being shaped.
Imagine your child being told what they were naturally born with isn’t good enough or is “too messy”. That child may begin to associate curly hair with being unmanageable.
This is a reminder that curly hair, and hair generally is a big part of our identity, and this should be affirmed as early as possible. The beauty of cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the UAE more broadly is their diversity, with expats from so many parts of the world - different accents, skin tones and hair types.
While individuality is often celebrated in terms of nationality, there’s still more to be done when it comes to embracing naturally curly hair in kids.
Overcoming generational stigma associated with Curly Hair in the Middle East
With the prevalence of keratin and brazilian blowout treatments in many UAE hair salons, we understand there will still be some challenges in changing the belief systems of children who are old enough to recognise the dominance of straight textures.
However, this doesn’t have to be a challenge you face alone. With Emerson as a curl lifestyle destination here in the Middle East, we curate experiences and tools you can use to make this process easier. As with other aspects of parenting, regular nurturing and affirmation of curly hair kids is imperative.
It’s not just a grooming habit you want to cultivate through a curly hair routine but something they take great pride in. So even if they occasionally try out non curly hairstyles, they always return to their curls as a source of pride.
Curly Hair Routine for Kids: Why Rituals Matter in Raising Confident Kids
Most parents understand the importance of maintaining routines in early childhood - it builds familiarity, structure and a sense of safety and assurance.
Take sleep, for example: a newborn doesn’t intuitively understand the concept of day and night. However, over time, through constant cues - light, feeding, bath time, bedtime, this routine creates repetition. Repetition builds rhythm. Patterns shape awareness.
The same is true for curly care - start by turning curly hair routines for kids into rituals. Create a calm, fun, loving environment when you’re detangling, washing, moisturising or styling your little one’s curls.
Whether it’s putting on their favourite song whilst detangling and run a bubble bath while cleansing and conditioning. Turn it into a moment of connection - use affirming words whilst applying curly hair products for kids, staying mindful of their tender scalps.
Here’s a practical, child-friendly routine that works for little curls. Save this and refer to it as often as needed. This is where healthy hair habits begin.
The Emerson Approved Curly Hair Routine for Kids
This is your stating point - hydration and conditioning are the foundation. Adjust for your child’s curl porosity and apply products proportionally to their curl density.
Step 1: Gentle Cleansing (1-2 times a week)
Use a sulphate free cleanser - shampoo or cowash to gently cleanse the scalp and hair. This will lift dirt, debris and build up whilst imparting hydration.
Expert Tip: Ensure you work the cleanser into the scalp and distribute through the strands after wetting the hair, this will help activate the cleanser upon contact.For extremely dry curls, we highly recommend alternating between a shampoo and cowash.
Step 2: Condition, Condition, Condition (1-2 times a week)
This is what reinforces that much need moisture beneath the surface, to keep curls healthy, supple and more manageable. After cleansing, apply the conditioner from root to ends, avoiding the scalp and let it sit for 5-15 mins.
Expert Tip: Cover with plastic cap for better absorption
Want to build your child’s curl routine with confidence? Explore our Mummy & Me Edit An expert curated range of products designed to cleanse, nourish and define your little one’s curls.
Styling Little Curls: The Best Curly Hair Products and Accessories For Kids
A good curly hair routine doesn’t need to be complicated, but it does need to be intentional. With the right products and techniques, you can transform your child’s curls from frizz to beautifully defined ringlets and coils they’ll love and be proud of.
Step 3: Detangle with slip and patience
An important step and game changer, when done intentionally, you can build a tear free curl routine for your little one.
While the hair is still wet, part hair into sections and apply a detangler that is slip rich and free from sulphates and silicones.
Our expert picks: two detangling options that have changed tender scalps forever:
Both serve dual purposes detangling and a leave in to help prime the curls for styling. Use a wide tooth comb first to loosen knots and matting, and if desired follow up with a detangling brush.
Step 4: Moisturise for softness and strength
If your child’s curls are thick or dry, a richer dose of moisture may be required. Apply a moisture milk after detangling to increase softness, moisture and manageability.
Our expert picks:
Camille Rose Kids Sundaze Glaze
Step 5: Define and Style with a Curl Cream or Gel
Pick curly hairstyles that are versatile, neat and enhance your little one's curls. Styling is another opportunity to build healthy associations between your child and their curls.
Discover 5 minute easy curly hairstyles for kids, every parent need - perfect for school days, special occasions and everything in between.
A gentle curly routine for kids should finish up with styling, once each section has been well detangled and moisturised, seal the deal with a styling gel or cream.
Rub the curl cream or gel in between your palms to activate the product. Apply using the praying hands or raking method, then lightly cup each section of curls and scrunch upwards for definition.
Our expert picks:
Camille Rose Kids Sweet Pudding Buttercream
The Final Touch: Hair Accessories That Protect and Shine
Complete the look with a decorative clip or curl safe accessory. For ponytails or buns use a silk or satin scrunchie to prevent friction, frizz and breakage.
Want expert-approved curly hair products for kids in the UAE? Explore our curated product and accessory range here
Where Curl Confidence Begins: It Starts With You
Caring for your child’s curls doesn’t require superior know-how, it requires intentionality by building a foundation of self love, acceptance and confidence from the very beginning.
The Mummy & Me Curl Experience - Edition One (June 2025) was the first of its kind in the Middle East and Dubai, and it demonstrated first hand how powerful early affirmation, hands on education and curl discovery positioned as ritual, truly is.
Whether you’re trying to navigate detangling curly hair after a swimming session or styling your child’s coils for the school week - each moment is a chance to show your child that their natural texture is beautiful, seen and celebrated.
If you're ready to begin or elevate your child’s curly hair journey, explore our handpicked range of gentle curl friendly products and accessories Start Here: Discover Our Mummy & Me Collection - expertly chosen for gentle, high performance curl care essentials.
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