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STYLING YOUR CURLS

Don’t be afraid of learning a curl routine — it’s easier than you think.

Product application is often the most intimidating step, but it’s also the most important. Styling is always done on wet hair. You can apply products in the shower or step out and style in front of a mirror — if you’re just starting, I recommend the mirror so you can really see what your curls are doing.

BEFORE YOU START

Have these nearby:

  • A mirror

  • Spray bottle (water is your best friend)

  • Styling products

  • Curl brush or Wet Brush

  • Clips

  • Flour sack towel, tea towel, or microfiber towel

Your hair should be very wet — either dripping or close to it. If your hair starts to dry at any point, add water beforeadding more product.

SECTIONING FOR SUCCESS

Sectioning helps with even product distribution, definition, and frizz control.

  • Use sections about two fingers wide

  • This usually leaves you with around 5 sections total

  • Start in the nape and work your way up

Working in sections ensures every curl gets what it needs — not just the top layer.

UNDERSTANDING PRODUCT TYPES & LAYERING

There’s no one-size-fits-all curl routine. Products can be layered to create the look, feel, and longevity you want.

  • Gel → More hold, longer wear, great for definition and control

  • Creams → Soft feel, moisture, little to no hold on their own

    • Layering gel over a cream keeps curls soft with structure

  • Foams & mousses → Lightweight hold, volume, and movement

    • These are some of my favorite products to wear on their own

Product choice is about customizing your curls, not following rigid rules. We’ll go deeper into this on the product page.

APPLYING PRODUCT (THE TECHNIQUE MATTERS)

Start each section by emulsifying product between your palms.

Techniques You’ll Use:

  • Praying Hands – gently press product into the hair for smoothness

  • Raking – finger combing to separate curls

  • Curl Brushes – my go-to for even distribution and curl clumping

  • Wet Brush / Denman / Bounce Brush – optional tools depending on preference

Always pull the hair straight out from where it grows:

  • On-base → more control

  • Off-base / over-directed → more root lift and volume

The farther you over-direct the hair, the more lift you’ll create at the root.

SQUISH DON'T SCRUNCHING

Once product is applied to a few sections:

  • Add water

  • Gather curls from the ends to the root

  • Pulsate (squish) instead of aggressively scrunching

You want to hear the squish — that sound means water and product are penetrating the hair evenly. This encourages curl formation and reduces frizz.

Pay extra attention to:

  • The crown

  • Front pieces

  • Any frizz-prone or stubborn areas

REMOVING WATER & TOWEL CHOICE (REQUIRED STEP)

Before plopping, make sure your curls look the way you want them to dry — frizz when wet = frizz when dry.

  • Avoid cotton towels (they cause friction and frizz)

  • Best options:

    • Flour sack towels

    • Tea towels

    • Microfiber towels

I like to remove as much water as possible before plopping by gently pulsating curls into the towel.

LET’S TALK CLIPS

Clipping is a powerful tool — and it’s customizable.

Use clips to:

  • Add volume at the part line

  • Lift a flat crown

  • Keep front pieces off your face while drying

Clip against the direction the hair naturally falls to retrain volume and shape.

Root Clipping using Bounce Curl Clips

Praying Hands  -  Take a small section of the hair and clasp it between your palms start at the root and pull evening all the way to the ends.

Scrunching -  Where you cup and squeeze your hair  in your hands or a towel to help shape curls. Start at the end and lift to the root. Only grab what will fit in your hand.

Pulsate - A rhythmic expanding and contracting movement or action.
 

Frizz  -  Lack of hydration and moisture or has been manipulated too much.

Plopping -  A heatless drying technique that involves wrapping your hair into a Microfiber towel or T-shirt to air-dry.

Microfiber Towel - A synthetic fabric consisting of ultra-fine fibers.

Tea Towel - Thin towel made of linen or cotton.

Racking -  Pulling product between your fingers to separate curls and distribute product evening.

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