If you’ve ever admired an effortlessly bouncy head of curls—on the red carpet or just at brunch—and wondered, “How do they do it?” there’s a decent chance celebrity stylist Kenna Kennor’s work caught your eye. Known for his warm, unfiltered advice and skill with every hair texture under the sun (on and off the set), Kenna is also associated with actress Britt Lower—his real-life partner and, by all accounts, a fan of his magic touch.
But Kenna is more than just a stylist to the stars. He’s all about true, joyful hair—especially when it comes to curls, which need extra love to really shine. Here’s his straight-talk advice for keeping spirals happy, healthy, and totally you.
Know Your Curl—and Embrace It All
Kenna’s first piece of advice? Stop fighting with your curls. “Curly hair has a mind of its own,” he says, “and you’ll never win if you’re just trying to flatten it.” The key is to treat your spirals as a feature, not a flaw. The best styles always start with embracing your natural curl pattern, whether it’s loose waves, classic ringlets, or corkscrews that spring every which way.
Wash Gently, Style Intentionally
Kenna is not a fan of daily washing for curly hair. Natural curls get drier far faster than straight strands, so washing every two or three days (or even less) is usually plenty. He recommends a moisturizing, sulfate-free shampoo—nothing harsh or drying. Focus shampoo just on the scalp, then let conditioner handle the rest.
Speaking of conditioner, Kenna says never skimp. “Comb it right through when your hair’s still soaking wet,” he explains. Wide-tooth combs or even your fingers beat a brush for detangling those trickier knots without causing breakage.
Tame Frizz Without Killing Bounce
Frizz is part of the curly charm, but too much can leave you frustrated. Kenna’s go-to fix? Hydration, hydration, hydration. Leave-in conditioner, a curl-defining cream, and (he swears by this one) the tiniest touch of hair oil on the ends can transform dull limp curls into lively, shiny ringlets.
His pro move: Apply products to soaking wet hair, then scrunch upward using an old T-shirt instead of a towel. “It sounds silly till you try it,” Kenna laughs, “but it seriously makes a difference.”
Hands Off While Drying
One of Kenna’s rules: Once you’ve styled or scrunched your curls, resist the urge to fuss until it’s totally dry. Air-drying is his favorite, but if you must use a blow-dryer, grab a diffuser and go low and slow. “Give your curls time to form—messing with them too early just creates frizz.”
Simple Styling That Celebrates Your Personality
Curls, Kenna says, are all about play. Try a half-up style with a patterned scarf, a messy pineapple for bedtime, or soft tendrils pulled out to frame your face. Don’t panic if every curl isn’t perfectly uniform—imperfection equals personality.
Channel Your Inner Kenna
At the end of the day, Kenna Kennor’s curly hair gospel comes down to care, patience, and a whole lot of acceptance. There’s beauty in texture, freedom in mess, and something undeniably fun in letting curls just…be curls. And who knows? You might even catch yourself loving them—red carpet not required.
