I Went ALL IN on One Curly Hair Brand... Here's What Happened

If you have curly hair, you probably know exactly what my bathroom cabinet looked like.

One curl cream from one brand.

A mousse from another.

A gel that someone on TikTok swore would change my life.

An oil from Amazon.

A random anti-frizz spray that worked for one person with completely different hair than mine.

I had become a professional product mixer.

Some wash days my curls looked amazing.

Other days...not so much.

And honestly, I never knew which product deserved the credit.

So this time, I decided to do something different.

Instead of mixing and matching products from five different brands, I went ALL IN on one curly hair brand to see what would happen if the products were actually designed to work together.

I chose Not Your Mother's Curl Talk.

And honestly...

I don't think I'll be going back.

Why I Decided to Simplify My Curly Hair Routine

If you're anything like me, you've probably bought products because someone on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube promised they were the secret to perfect curls.

Sometimes they worked.

Sometimes they didn't.

But I started wondering if my biggest problem wasn't the products themselves—it was that I was constantly mixing products that were never designed to work together.

So instead of chasing another viral recommendation, I committed to using one complete system.

The result?

More consistent curls, less guessing, and a much simpler routine.

Before we dive in, remember that every head of curls is different. Hair density, porosity, curl pattern, and even your climate can affect your results. This routine has been working incredibly well for my hair, and I hope it gives you a great starting point if you're looking to simplify your own curly hair routine.

My Curly Hair Routine for Defined, Voluminous Curls

One thing I've learned over the years is that how you apply your products is just as important as the products themselves.

Here's exactly what I'm doing.

Step 1: Start with Dripping Wet Hair

This is probably the biggest tip I can give you.

Your hair should be dripping wet before you start applying products.

Not damp.

Not towel dried.

Dripping.

The extra water helps the products distribute evenly and encourages your curls to form larger, more defined curl clumps instead of drying into frizz.

I divide my hair into 4-5 sections, and I completely finish one section before moving on to the next.

Step 2: Style One Section at a Time

Working with one section at a time, I first apply Not Your Mother's Curl Cream.

I use the praying hands method to smooth the product over my hair, then rake it through with my fingers to make sure every strand is coated. I focus much more on the mid-lengths and ends than my roots since that's where my curls need the most moisture.

Without moving on to another section, I immediately apply Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Gel Hold #5.

Again, I use praying hands first, followed by raking the gel through with my fingers.

While my hair is still soaking wet, I then use my curl brush to evenly distribute both products and encourage my curls to form larger curl clumps.

Once I've brushed that section, I scrunch upward several times to activate my curl pattern.

Only after that section is completely finished do I move on to the next one and repeat the process.

ALL PRODUCTS - SHOP HERE!

Step 3: Diffuse

Once all of my sections are finished, I diffuse my hair until it's about 90–95% dry. My diffuser is my closest friend!!! We go everywhere together! Don's skimp on a diffuser system!

Then I let it finish air drying until it's completely dry.

One thing I've learned is to keep my hands off my curls while they're drying. The less I touch them, the less frizz I end up with.

Step 4: Break the Cast with Lightweight Oil

This is my favorite part because it's where the curls really come to life.

Once my hair is 100% dry, I use Not Your Mother's Lightweight Oil to break the gel cast.

I work on one side of my head at a time.

I start by applying a few pumps of oil to my hands and rubbing them together.

Then I use the praying hands method over that side of my hair to gently stretch the cast before I begin scrunching.

Once the cast starts to soften, I scrunch upward until those crunchy curls become soft, bouncy, and full of movement.

Then I repeat the exact same process on the other side.

One little trick I've learned is that breaking the cast sometimes releases a little moisture that was trapped inside the gel cast.

If I notice any slightly damp spots after scrunching, I'll grab my diffuser, set it to warm, and dry those areas for another minute or two.

It's a tiny step, but it helps my curls keep their shape and volume throughout the day.

Step 5: Finish with Defrizz Spray

The final step is Not Your Mother's Defrizz Spray.

I lightly mist it over my hair, paying extra attention to the outer layer and any areas that tend to become frizzy.

It gives my curls a little extra shine, smooths flyaways, and helps everything look polished without feeling sticky or heavy.

How I Refresh My Curly Hair Between Wash Days

I don't wash my hair every day.

On day two (or three!), I'll use the Defrizz Spray again to refresh my curls.

If a few curls have flattened while I slept, I'll lightly mist those areas, gently reshape them with my hands, and scrunch them back into place.

It's a quick way to bring my curls back to life without completely starting over.

Shop My Complete Curly Hair Routine

If you've been following my curly hair journey, you know I've tried a lot of products over the years. Right now, this routine has become my favorite because it's simple, consistent, and gives me the volume and definition I'm looking for.

I've linked everything I use in my Amazon Storefront, including:

• Not Your Mother's Curl Cream

• Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Gel Hold #5

• Not Your Mother's Lightweight Oil

• Not Your Mother's Defrizz Spray

• My shampoo and conditioner

• My diffuser hair dryer

• My curl brush

• My favorite curly hair accessories

Shop my complete curly hair routine here:

👉 https://urlgeni.us/amazon/curlyKate

(I make commissions when you purchase from my Amazon Store - thank you for supporting me)

Final Thoughts

One thing I've learned after years of trying every curly hair hack on social media is that consistency usually wins.

Instead of constantly chasing the next viral curl cream or mixing products from five different brands, I decided to simplify my routine and trust a system that was designed to work together.

So far, my curls have been more defined, my routine has become easier, and my bathroom cabinet is finally a little less chaotic.

Will I try something new someday?

Probably.

Curly girls are always curious.

But for now, I'm sticking with this routine because it's giving me some of my favorite curls yet.

If you decide to give this routine a try, I'd love to hear how it works for your curls.

And if you've found another holy grail curly hair product, let me know...

Because let's be honest...

We're always looking for the next great curl day.