John Frieda's Beach Spray used to do that for my hair...beach waves I believe, if you brush your hair while it's wet it kinda calmed down the curls and made them more rope like, but I can't find the product lately.
My hair is more wavy than curly...but what I always do, when I'm going to let it air dry is brush it while it's wet and apply a straightening creme( to relax the curls, one of Lanza's is great) and a shine serum as well. If you find the right products that's usually the best bet. If it doesn't work well, put the products in and then do pigtail braids until your hair is mainly dry....stops your hair from curling without getting rid of waves.
Hope I helped a tiny bit.