Dreading your wash days? Let's look into making your wash days simple!
1. Start with the right cleanser (shampoo / co‑wash)
Cleansing your hair is the most important step of your wash day. Curly hair is super prone to build-up, and without a proper cleanse, your strands won’t be able to soak up all the good stuff from your conditioners and stylers. Think of it like giving your curls a fresh reset so they can actually thrive!
When it comes to picking a cleanser, opt for a sulphate-free shampoo. Traditional shampoos can be way too harsh on curls and strip away the natural oils that we desperately need to keep our hair hydrated and bouncy.
Now, if you’re someone who washes more often (like after gym sessions or sweaty days), a co-wash is your best friend. It’s way gentler than shampoo and helps keep your scalp refreshed without over-drying your curls. The key is balance: clean enough to remove build-up, but not so squeaky clean that your curls feel dry or frizzy.
And don’t forget, focus the shampoo on your scalp, not your ends. Naturally the shampoo will cleanse your strands as you rinse, so no need to scrub your curls like you’re washing a sweater. A gentle scalp massage with your fingertips (not nails!) goes a long way in keeping your scalp healthy and your curls happy.
2. Apply conditioner generously
Next step (and honestly my fave step) is conditioner time! This is where the magic happens for us curlies. Conditioner adds that much-needed moisture back into your hair after shampooing and gives your curls the “slip” they need to detangle without snapping or breaking.
I always apply conditioner from the ends up towards the mid-lengths (avoiding the roots because your scalp doesn’t need it). Once it’s in, that’s when I detangle either with a wide-tooth comb or a Tangle Teezer. And let me just say, this is the only stage I detangle my hair. Doing it here saves me from unnecessary shedding and breakage because the conditioner makes everything glide so much easier.
Make sure you use a generous amount (don’t be shy with it) and coat every single strand. Then let it sit for about 5–10 minutes so your curls can soak up all that goodness.
Important tip: rinse it out properly. Leaving a little conditioner behind might sound like extra hydration, but it can actually cause buildup, weigh your curls down, and even irritate your scalp. Think “well-coated, well-rinsed”.
Apply a leave‑in conditioner
Leave-in conditioner is basically your curls’ bestie. It keeps the moisture locked in and sets you up for definition and frizz control. Always apply it to soaking wet hair (seriously, the wetter the better). If you’ve got high porosity hair like me, keep a spray bottle handy because your hair will drink up water fast while you’re working through sections.
I like to split my hair into four sections for easier application. Then I use the praying hands method (smooth it over the hair) and raking method (finger combing through) to really distribute the product evenly.
💡 Pro tip: Don’t go overboard with product. Start with less and add more if you need it too much leave-in can leave curls feeling heavy.
Once the leave-in is in, I grab my Bounce Curl brush (or any good curl defining brush) to go over the sections again. This gives me that extra definition and helps clump the curls together so they dry nice and uniform.
And remember, your leave-in is the foundation for the rest of your styling products. If you skip it, your hair can end up thirsty and frizzy way sooner than you’d like.
Seal with a styling product
If you want frizz-free, long-lasting curls, gel is non-negotiable. Seriously, it’s what locks everything in. A lot of people hear the word gel and picture that sticky feeling, but curly-friendly gels are nothing like that. They’re usually lightweight, non-sticky, and designed to give your curls hold without making them stiff.
The trick is to apply gel while your hair is still soaking wet (yes, keep that spray bottle handy if needed). This helps the gel seal in all the moisture from your leave-in conditioner and keeps your curl pattern intact as your hair dries.
I like to apply gel using either the praying hands method (smoothing it over the section) or by scrunching it in to encourage curl formation. Don’t be scared if your hair feels a little crunchy once it dries, that’s called the cast, and it’s actually a good thing! It means your curls are protected while they set. Once everything’s fully dry, you can gently scrunch out the crunch (aka “SOTC”) to reveal soft, defined, frizz-free curls that last for days.
Without gel, your curls are more likely to lose shape, frizz up, or fall flat way sooner. Think of gel as the step that takes your wash day from “cute for a few hours” to “flawless for days.
Diffuse or air‑dry
I know, I know… diffusing can feel like a workout. We all complain about our arms and necks hurting, but honestly? That 20 minutes of “pain” is so worth it for long-lasting, defined curls.
When diffusing, always use low heat and low speed as blasting your curls with high heat or strong airflow is basically an invitation for frizz. Take your time and gently cup sections of your hair with the diffuser, holding it near your scalp to really set the curls in place. Depending on how thick or dense your hair is, this can take anywhere from 20–40 minutes.
💡 Pro tip: Try “hover diffusing” (holding the diffuser near your curls without touching them) for the first few minutes. This helps your hair start drying without disturbing the curl pattern. Once it’s about 60–70% dry, you can switch to cupping the curls with the diffuser for more definition and volume.
If a gel cast forms (which is exactly what we want 🙌), make sure your hair is completely dry before scrunching it out. That’s when the magic happens.
And yes, it’s a bit of effort, but think of diffusing as the step that locks in all the hard work you did with cleansing, conditioning, and styling. The payoff is curls that last for days instead of hours.
Final Thoughts ✨
When you put it all together, you’re not just “washing your hair”, you’re giving your curls the care they need to stay healthy, defined, and bouncy for days. And honestly, once you get the hang of it, it feels less like a chore and more like a little self-care ritual.
At the end of the day, it’s all about learning what works best for your unique curl pattern and hair needs. So experiment, have fun, and remember, your output reflects your input💕
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