My MOST Recent Curly Hair Routine: How I Get Defined, Voluminous Curls
- kate7760
- 1 hour ago
- 6 min read
If you have curly hair, you already know the routine is never really finished. 😂
You find something that works, love it for a while...and then you try ONE little thing differently and suddenly you're thinking, Wait. Are my curls even better?!
That's where I am right now.
I've shared my curly hair routine before, but I've made a few changes lately—especially with the products I'm layering and what I'm doing right before I diffuse—and I've been LOVING the results.
So, consider this my MOST recent curly hair routine.
I'm sharing exactly what I'm using, the order I use everything, how I apply it, and the little techniques that I think make just as much difference as the products themselves.
If you're looking for defined, bouncy curls with volume and less frizz, here's exactly what I'm doing right now.
The Biggest Rule: Start With VERY Wet Hair
Before we even talk about products, let's talk about water.
My hair is VERY wet when I start styling.
Not towel dried.
Not mostly damp.
WET.
This has been one of the biggest things I've learned about styling my curls. I want plenty of water in my hair while I'm applying my products because it helps everything distribute through my curls and encourages those nice curl clumps I'm looking for.
I divide my wet hair into four sections.
And here's the important part:
I completely style one section at a time before moving on to the next.
Step 1: Apply Rizos Curls Curl Cream
Starting with my first section, I apply Rizos Curls Curl Cream.
I don't just slap it on and start scrunching.
First, I apply it using praying hands, smoothing the product over the section.
Then I rake it through with my fingers to make sure the product is evenly distributed.
I tend to concentrate more of the product through the mid-lengths and ends instead of loading up my roots.
And then—before moving on to another section—I go straight into my gel.
Step 2: Layer Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Gel Hold #5
While that same section is still VERY wet, I apply Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Gel Hold #5 right over the curl cream.
Again, I start with praying hands.
Then I rake the gel through the section.
The curl cream gives me the moisture and definition I'm looking for, while the gel helps give my curls the hold they need to keep that definition as they dry.
But I'm still not done with that section!
Step 3: Use a Curl Brush, Then Scrunch
Once the curl cream and gel are applied, I use my curl brush.
I brush through the section to help distribute the products and separate my hair into defined curl clumps.
Then I scrunch upward to encourage those curls to form.
Only THEN do I move on to the next section.
So for every one of my four sections, the order is:
Curl cream → praying hands → rake → gel → praying hands → rake → curl brush → scrunch.
Then I repeat the entire process on the next section until all four sections are complete.
The order matters!
Step 4: Add a Small Amount of Mousse
This is one of the changes I've made to my routine.
Once all four sections are completely styled, I add a small amount of Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Mousse.
I don't rake this through.
Instead, I use my hands to gently scrunch the mousse into my curls.
I don't use a ton. I just want a small amount throughout my hair for that final little boost of hold and volume before drying.
Step 5: Scrunch With a Large T-Shirt
Before I reach for the diffuser, I grab a large T-shirt.
I gently scrunch my curls with the T-shirt to remove some of the excess water and product without roughing up my curls.
I'm not wrapping my hair up or leaving it in the shirt.
I'm simply scrunching.
This helps remove that extra fluid while keeping my curl clumps intact.
And then I go immediately into diffusing.
I don't let my hair sit around and start drying before I begin.
Step 6: Diffuse Until About 90–95% Dry
I diffuse my curls until they're approximately 90–95% dry. WAVYTALK HairDryer/Diffuser because it MATTERS!
Then I let them finish air drying.
And this part can be hard...
DON'T TOUCH THEM.
😂
I try to handle my curls as little as possible while they're drying because touching and messing with them can break up the curl clumps and create frizz.
At this point, my hair may feel crunchy.
That's GOOD.
That crunch is the gel cast doing its job.
We're going to deal with that next.
Step 7: Break the Gel Cast With Hair Oil
Once my curls are completely dry, it's time for one of my favorite parts: breaking the cast.
I use Not Your Mother's Lightweight Oil for this.
And there's a specific way I do it.
I work on one side of my head at a time.
I put a few pumps of oil into my hands and rub them together.
Then, instead of immediately scrunching my curls, I first use praying hands to gently smooth over and stretch the gel cast.
Once I've done that, I start scrunching upward.
That's when the magic happens.
The crunchy cast starts breaking away and I'm left with softer, bouncier curls that still have all that definition.
Then I repeat the process on the other side.
One More Diffusing Trick
Here's something I noticed that I don't hear people talk about very often.
Sometimes when I break my gel cast, I'll discover a few areas that are still slightly damp underneath.
It's almost like the cast was trapping some moisture.
If that happens, I don't just leave it.
I grab my diffuser again, switch it to warm, and diffuse those damp areas for another minute or two.
Then I'm done.
This little extra step has made a difference for me, especially when I'm trying to keep my curls looking good beyond wash day.
Step 8: Finish With Defrizz Spray
My very last step is Not Your Mother's Defrizz Spray.
Once I've broken the cast and everything is completely dry, I lightly mist the spray over my curls.
I especially focus on the outside layer of my hair and anywhere that tends to get a little frizzy.
It gives everything that final polished look without weighing my curls down.
And THAT is my current wash-day curly hair routine!
How I Refresh My Curls Between Wash Days
I definitely don't start this entire process over every morning.
Between wash days, I keep things much simpler.
One of the products I reach for is the Not Your Mother's Defrizz Spray.
I'll lightly mist my curls, especially anywhere that became frizzy or flattened while I slept, reshape any curls that need a little help, and gently scrunch.
Sometimes curly hair just needs a little encouragement. 😂
My Current Curly Hair Routine at a Glance
If you want to screenshot the routine, here's the order I'm currently using:
Start with very wet hair and divide into four sections.
Apply Rizos Curls Curl Cream with praying hands, then rake through.
Apply Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Gel Hold #5 with praying hands, then rake through.
Use a curl brush to distribute product and separate the curls.
Scrunch and repeat the entire process on the remaining sections.
Once all four sections are finished, scrunch in a small amount of Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Mousse.
Use a large T-shirt to gently scrunch out excess water and product.
Immediately begin diffusing with WavyTalk Dryer.
Diffuse until about 90–95% dry, then allow your curls to finish air drying.
Once completely dry, use Not Your Mother's Lightweight Oil to break the cast.
Diffuse any hidden damp areas again on warm if needed.
Finish with Not Your Mother's Defrizz Spray.
Shop My Most Recent Curly Hair Routine
I've put the products AND tools I use for my curls in one place so you don't have to go hunting for everything individually.
You'll find my curl cream, gel, mousse, oil, defrizz spray, shampoo and conditioner, curl brush, diffuser hair dryer, and other curly hair favorites in my Amazon Storefront.
👉 SHOP MY CURLY HAIR FAVORITES HERE:
As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases.
Final Thoughts
The longer I've had curly hair, the more I've realized something:
The technique matters just as much as the product.
Starting with really wet hair.
Working in sections.
Using praying hands.
Raking the product through.
Using a curl brush.
Scrunching.
Removing that excess water.
Diffusing immediately.
Breaking the cast correctly.
Those little things add up.
And that's why I'm always willing to tweak my routine when I discover something that makes my curls look even better.
Is this the last curly hair routine I'll ever share?
Let's be serious. 😂
Probably not.
Because curly hair has a mind of its own, and I'm always experimenting.
But this is my most recent routine, and right now, I'm LOVING the results.
So if you've been asking what I'm doing to my curls lately—this is it.
And as always...
we're just out here chasing the next great curl day. 💕
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