It’s time for an updated curly hair check-in! If you missed my first curly check-in this is a seasonal series where I share my curly hair routine and what I’ve been doing to my hair within 3 months. I love my curly hair and love using new tools and products and these update posts are meant for me to go into detail about what I’m currently doing with my hair. If you have any questions about anything curly/wavy hair-related let me know.
After I posted my first curly check-in I realized (days after) that I forgot to include how I sleep with my hair and how I refresh my hair the following days so I made sure to include that in this post. Now, I have so much hair talk to share, keep reading if you’re curious!
DISCLAIMER: Links included in this post might be affiliate links. If you make a purchase with the links I provide, I may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.
My HAIR TYPE
I have curly/wavy hair, I’m a type 2B-2C. I have thin medium porosity hair, my hair frizzes easily and I have a bit of color on the ends. I’ve been on my natural curly hair journey since late 2020. I wear my hair naturally curly 90% of the time, the only heat-styling tool I use is a diffuser. I no longer follow the Curly Girl Method rules but I am mindful of what ingredients are in the hair products. I use this website to help me identify the ingredients.
CURRENT WASHING ROUTINE
Down below are all the products I’m currently using in my hair cleansing routine. I do a bond treatment once a month and then alternate between using a deep moisturizing or protein mask. However, I do sometimes skip a week and not use any treatments at all if I think my hair doesn’t need it.
Bond Treatment: Curlsmith Bond Curl Rehab Salve (only use once a month)
Hair Growth Shampoo: HASK BIOTIN BOOST Thickening Shampoo (double cleanse)
Hair Growth Conditioner: HASK BIOTIN BOOST Thickening Conditioner
Deep conditioner: HASK ARGAN OIL Repairing Deep Conditioner Treatment OR Aussie 3-Minute Miracle Curls (once every 2 weeks)
Protein Hair Mask: Palmer’s Coconut Oil Deep Conditioning Protein Pack (once every 2 weeks)
HAIR STYLING ROUTINE
I’ve switched up my styling routine which I’ll discuss more in down below. As for the products, I’ve been trying to use up most of my old leave-in conditioners as I have many that I want to use up so I can buy new products. I always use one leave-in and one styling product (gel or mousse) for hold. I also use a spray at the end of my routine, before I diffuse my hair to properly ‘set’ all the products in my hair and this also helps my curls dry faster.
new styling routine
brush → leave-in or curl cream → part hair in a side → quickly brush hair (using ribbon technique) → gel or mousse → texturizing spray → air-dry to 80% dry → diffuse the rest → oil
Brush: Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangling Brush
Leave-In Conditioner: L’Oreal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Replumpng Serum Leave-In OR L’Oreal Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Non-Stop Dreamy Curls Leave-in Cream OR Marc Anthony Strictly Curls Curl Defining Lotion
Mousse: Lottabody Coconut & Shea Oils Wrap Me Foaming Mousse OR Aussie Instant Freeze Sculpting Mousse
Texturizing Spray: Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Sea Salt Spray
Diffuser: Conair Hair Dryer (with diffuser attachment)
Oil: TRESemme Flawless Curls Hydrating Oil
Dry Shampoo: Not Your Mother’s Refreshing Clean Freak Dry Shampoo (only on days when I don’t wash my hair)
how i sleep with curly hair
I flip my hair over and try to make a loose bun (aka a pineapple) on the top of my head and secure it with a satin scrunchie (sometimes two!). I also sleep on a satin pillowcase to prevent frizz which my hair is prone to.
how i refresh my curls
The following morning, I take own my ‘pineapple’ and let gravity decide whether or not I need to refresh my curls. I’m a pretty reckless sleep so I toss and turn a lot. Sometimes I need s major refreshing due to my hair looking too fluffy and wonky but sometimes I can get away without doing anything, so it all varies.
When I do refresh, I will spray a bit of water in a water bottle throughout my locks and apply a bit of whatever styling product I used the day before. Down below I added my favorite products to use on refresh days for this season.
Mousse: Lottabody Coconut & Shea Oils Wrap Me Foaming Mousse
Gel: Aussie Instant Freeze Sculpting Gel
NEW DEVELOPMENTS
Morning wash days are back!
In my last curly hair check-in I mentioned that I was having trouble sleeping which affected when I washed my hair. Well, I’m pleased to report that my schedule is back on track! I’ve fixed my sleeping issues and as a result, gone back to my morning hair wash days.
Air-dry then diffuse
I’ve been saving drying time by air-drying first and then later diffusing. Washing my hair is such a production! Since properly taking care of my curly hair I feel like I spend so much time trying to properly cleanse and style my hair, it takes me an hour to go from in the shower to getting ready with dry hair and I don’t find it fun. Back before I started my curly hair journey I would always air-dry my hair so I decided to try that again to see what my results would be now that I have healthier hair. So, I tested out air-drying my hair for about 30-40 minutes and then diffusing until my hair was completely dry and I got fantastic results! My hair is fully dry, I don’t need to stand by my diffuser, I’m saving power, I’m not scaring my dog with the noise from the diffuser, and most importantly I’m saving time! My curls also look much more voluminous afterward, so it’s a win-win all around for me! haha
Not focusing on brush styling
I’m no longer focusing too much on brush styling. I will still brush style my hair but I’m not as lenient as I once was. I’ve tested days where I don’t brush style at all and just scrunch in a gel or mousse and I still get great results, however, doing this doesn’t last. I found that brush styling helps preserve my curls for multiple days and when I don’t brush style I wake up with a big fluffy mess. I’ve tested using bigger sections when it comes to brush styling and that not only helps seal my curls but I also don’t spend as much of time sectioning my hair which is another time saver!
Curlier hair
My hair used to be more wavy than curly but now it’s gotten very curly! This is why I’ve stopped focusing so much on brush styling. When I first started my curly hair journey and brush styling, if I didn’t section my hair and use the ribbon technique properly I would get wonky parts but now it doesn’t matter if I brush style at all! I will still get beautiful curls. I think I’ve ‘trained’ my curls now so they know how to spring up which is why I can just apply a leave-in and scrunch in either a mouse or gel and get beautiful results! My hair will revert to a wavy in the next 2-3 days if I don’t refresh my curls but I think that’s normal for everyone.
FAVORITE PRODUCTS
I’m still very much loving the Aussie gel and Mielle rosemary mint oil that mentioned last time. But, the LottabodyWrap Me Foaming Mousse is my new all-time favorite product! It’s the number #1 seller in the foams and mousse hair category on Amazon which is how I found out about this. No curly-haired influencer that I follow (and I follow many from all over the world) has ever mentioned this product which I think is strange because a lot of them have worked with Amazon. I’ve never heard of this brand before so I was skeptical at first, but after trying this product out once. I fell in love! It’s a light moisturizing mousse (though it contains a foam applicator) that smells divine! It creates the most perfect curls and this product holds! It doesn’t create a cast which a strong hold product normally does but my curls hold up well the next day after I use this on a washing day. I adore this product and highly recommend it especially because it’s less than $4!
Aussie Instant Freeze Sculpting Gel
Mielle Rosemary Mint Light Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil
Lottabody Coconut & Shea Oils Wrap Me Foaming Mousse
HASK BIOTIN BOOST Thickening Shampoo (lathers up nicely)
Are you a curly girl? What hair products are you currently using?
I think it would be so cool if you made a video of your curly hair routine for youtube!^^ great post, as usual☆
Thank you, Renaya! I’m much too insecure with my body image and voice to film myself on camera. Maybe one day when I’m more comfortable with myself. ♥
“Washing my hair is such a production!” GURL FRRR.
Sometimes I just feel like going to the salon just to ask them to shampoo and condition my hair but I only ever do that when I get a haircut. I have been more curious about expanding my hair care ever since I got a blow-out for the first time. I like how extensive and elaborate your hair care is! I’d love to see a faceless video of you too on your Tiktok. I think a lot of people are able to create content without having to put too much of themselves out there and I think it will work. Although it will be a lot of editing to do tho. Whenever your ready, your audience will be waiting ♥
Mari | http://www.dazedmari.com
I’m scared to go to salons because most hairstylist don’t know how to cut curly hair so I started cutting my own hair last year. But yeah, sometimes I wish someone would just wash and style my hair when I’m feeling lazy! haha
Maybe one day I’ll post a short video about my hair routine but it’s more than just my face that I’m insecure about it’s my body image too. I’m working on it tho and slowly getting comfortable in my skin so hopefully one day. ♥
that curly hair foam has piqued my interest! You know I actually don’t use mousse on my curls? I’ve been wanting to, but I currently have so many different curly hair products, that I’m trying to use them up before buying more! I think this product will be something I look into once I start purchasing new hair stuff again xx
Melina | http://www.melinaelisa.com
You should definitely check out the foam when you get the chance, I love it so much! Foams and mousses are great for volume but offer less hold but if you have fine hair you might like them.
I know what you mean, I have so many products I want to use up before I buy anything new. I hate to waste products. ♥
Amazing post! Thank you!
Love it love love it! Thank you!