Wash & Go (Curly to Super Curly)
1. Cleansing Your Scalp
Start with warm water and make sure your hair is completely wet before you begin cleansing (focus on your crown area).
When applying the cleanser, focus on the scalp and use your fingertips to massage in a circular motion. Most curly shampoos don’t lather. After you’ve gone around your scalp once, you’ll need to re-wet the hair and scrub the scalp again.
For super curly hair, split your hair into sections to make it easier to reach the scalp. If you use heavy, oil-based products and your hair strands need to be cleansed, apply some cleanser to your hair by pre-detangling the hair. Remember to be gentle; curly hair is fragile!
2. Applying Your Conditioner
Before conditioning, be sure to rinse the cleanser completely out of your hair. Avoid squeezing out any of the water. Water is key! It will hydrate your hair and help give your hair a “slip” as you are detangling.
Use about a palm-sized amount of conditioner and apply it to your hair from the ponytail down. You may need more or less conditioner depending on the length, texture and dryness of your hair.
Work the conditioner into your hair (up and away from the scalp if you’re looking for body), finger detangling by section. If you’re struggling with finger detangling, use a wet brush (highly recommended for super curly hair). Continue to add water as you’re detangling. (Water is key!) Divide your hair into four sections and apply conditioner from the ponytail down per section.
Once the hair is slippery, scrunch the hair up to the root (if you want to encourage more curl). If you want a less curly look or would like more length, skip the scrunching. Always think of your conditioning as if you’re prepping for styling!
Rinse your hair in cool water (if you can tolerate it). Remember, you’ve already watered down the conditioner so there’s no need to wash out the conditioner completely. Your goal is just to rewet the hair and prepare for products.
3. Applying Your Products
Apply your products on really wet hair. Applying your products in the shower is highly recommended. For super curly hair, apply your products in small sections. You may need to rewet your sections if your hair dries up quickly.
When applying your gel, flip your head upside down for volume. Make sure your hair is as neat as possible before applying. Take about a quarter-sized amount of gel and coat your hair first. Then, grab a dime-sized amount of the gel and rake it through. Next, take another dime-sized amount and scrunch to the root. Finger coil and then scrunch the areas where your curls may struggle. Keep in mind the amount of gel may vary depending on the amount of hair.
For a more defined curl look with not as much body, you’ll want to layer your products, section-by-section. Apply cream first, then gel, and then pomade or shine products. Remember to rewet the sections if they dry up.
Once you are done applying products, scrunch with a microfiber towel for volume or gently blot your hair; this will absorb any water or product your hair does not need.
After towel drying, be really gentle with your hair. Gently place your hair where you want it to fall. Avoid touching too much as it can create frizz.
4. Diffusing
Let your hair air dry 100% and then shake it out. If you want more volume, then diffuse after 2 hours of air drying.
If you’re going to diffuse from the beginning to the end, begin on a cool temperature, low setting and avoid too much movement with the diffuser (hold the diffuser in one section of the hair and then move on to another section).
As the hair gets dry, change to a warm temperature and higher setting (never high heat). Once the hair is 80% dry, you can now go crazy with the diffuser. When the hair is wet, it is more prone to frizz so you’ll want to be gentle.
Once the hair is fully dry, it’s time to shake, shake, shake it out! Don’t be scared; shaking is key for volume and the focus should be on the root. Never rake your fingers through your curls as that will create frizz and puffiness. Only focus on the root/scalp.
