6 Ways to Refresh Your Curls

1. Style the Hair Soaking Wet

Curly hair routine 101: When you style your hair, you need to do so with wet hair. Like, fresh out of the shower, not-towel-dried wet. Dry hair to any extent will only hurt you.

“The wetter the hair, the less frizz,” Kayganich explains. “If you style your hair from this starting point, you’ll have less frizz. One of my favorite ways to refresh curls a couple days after wash day, if you need it, is to mist certain areas that are the most frizzy with an aerosol spray bottle. You then take a moisturizing cream like HAIRSTORY Hair Balm, and rake through the hair or scrunch depending on the texture. Then let it air dry or diffuse.”

We personally love the IGK HAIR Mistress Hydrating Hair Balm, thanks to its ability to hydrate, defrizz, and melt into the hair.

2. Apply a Maximum Hold Gel

Some people are more keen on using product than others. After all, product buildup is no one’s friend. But sometimes you’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do. While you don’t want the crunch of the ‘90s, you may have to go bold with your hold. 

“If you live somewhere that’s humid, this could cause you to have frizz,” says Kayganich. “You’ll want to make sure you use a product with hold like a gel that has anti-humectant.” 

She’s a big fan of the OUIDAD Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel, along with the Bumble & Bumble Curl Anti-Humidity Frizz Gel Oil. Our personal pick goes to the BRIOGEO HAIR CARE Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Quinoa Frizz Control Gel.

“Make sure to apply gel to curls after applying a moisturizing cream,” the expert advises.

3. Protect Your Hair at Night

You’ve probably seen ads for silky or satin pillowcases, scrunchies, bonnets, and more. Well, they’re not just a marketing ploy. They’re actually designed to ensure your next-day-hair looks good as new.

“A game changer in minimizing frizz is making sure to protect your hair at night,” says Kayganich. “Replace that cotton pillowcase with a satin or silk pillowcase because cotton takes moisture out of curls, therefore, increasing frizz. If you want to do the maximum, wrap your hair in a silk or satin scarf or wear a silk or satin bonnet. In the morning, carefully remove the bonnet or unwrap your scarf and fluff and go. Sometimes I just let my hair fall on its own naturally. It can take a few minutes and then I’ll go in and fluff my hair to reshape it.”

Our pick to protect? The KITSCH Satin Sleep Scrunchies. They’re designed to glide through hair without pulling or agitation.

4. Reach for a Curl Refreshing Spray

When it comes to curly hair products, a refreshing spray (that does just what its name suggests) should absolutely be in your collection.

“I prefer to use curl refreshing sprays to add moisture back to dry, dehydrated hair in between wash days to help redefine curls and improve shine,” says trichologist Kimberlee Blakey. She opts for THE MANE CHOICE Tropical Moringa Sweet Oil & Honey Endless Moisture Restorative Spray. 

“It works great to refresh and revive hair strands,” she says. “It locks in moisture and improves hair elasticity and shine.”

Unsure what to use for your refresh routine? The PLAYA New Day Mist is a delicious 3-in-1 styler refresh that we personally love. 

5. Use Curl Cream Stylers

If you want to keep the hair frizz-free, Blakey suggests a cream styler. “Cream helps smooth dry ends and seal in moisture,” she says. 

We’ll never say no to a helping of the luxurious SACHAJUAN Styling Cream.

To top it off for that healthy curl shine, she recommends a lightweight oil like THE MANE CHOICE The Alpha Multi-Vitamin Scalp Nourishing Growth Oil. “I love this oil because it’s versatile and can be used to soothe and refresh the hair, as well as the scalp,” says Blakey.

6. Apply Leave-In Conditioner

Sure, you may use a leave-in off the bat, but during those in-between wash days, you can actually wet your hair and reapply a leave-in to bring those curls back to life. 

Blakey suggests snagging a water bottle to lightly spritz the curls and then using a leave-in like THE MANE CHOICE Alpha Soft As Can Be Revitalize & Refresh 3-in-1. “This can be used as a detangler, co-wash, and leave-in conditioner that helps detangle, redefine, and smooth curls on the days between wash days,” she says. “This is great for adding back moisture while softening and hydrating the hair.”

We personally use the OUAI Leave In Conditioner, which is also a lightweight spray.

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