February 13, 2022

How to Keep your Curls Frizz-Free & Moisturized Longer

This post is sponsored by Curlsmith. All opinions are my own. Affiliate links used.

Isn’t it so frustrating when you put so much work into wash day, only to have your curls look dull, dry, and frizzy by day 2 or 3? I’m going to show you a super long-lasting wash-day routine that will hydrate and seal in moisture for days. I’m also sharing some tips for refreshing and protecting your curls at night and during workouts.

I’m also partnering with Curlsmith to tell you about their 25% off sale that’s going on now through Feb. 14, 2022, on some of their best-selling products that I will be using in this routine.

Reasons Your Curls Don’t Last

Lack of moisture on wash day
Using light hold products that don’t provide a cast
Not using enough products or applying them thoroughly
Not using any products with protein ingredients
Air drying and not diffusing
Not protecting your curls at night
Wearing the wrong size bonnet or not putting it on properly
Stretching out your curls with tight hairstyles
Not refreshing when needed

Long-Lasting Moisturizing Routine, Step-by-Step

Clarify to ensure your curls are free of buildup and product residue so that they can absorb all the moisture needed.
Apply a deep conditioner and let it sit for 10-20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. I chose one with some low-dose protein because the stylers I’m using are protein-free.
Spritz towel-dried hair with water so it’s evenly wet, then apply a moisturizing curl cream or leave-in conditioner. I prefer curl creams because they provide both moisture and help style curls, whereas a leave-in only provides moisture. Those with extra hair may use both. Comb through.
Section hair and apply a medium or strong hold gel. Brush through to ensure all strands are coated.
Brush style if desired. Creating curl clumps and ringlets with a brush can help curls hold their definition longer in between washes, and help keep frizz tucked away.
Scrunch each section as you go, and then once again at the end. Scrunch with a hair towel or T-shirt if you have a lot of water in your hair. Glaze another layer of ge l if you feel the towel absorbed any product.
Diffuse until dry. Diffusing helps the gel cast set right away, preventing frizz. Curls that are air-dried tend to not last as long and can become frizzy or limp. Diffusing shrinks up the curls and sets them with low heat.
Once hair is 100% dry, apply a sealing oil if desired and fluff the roots. Avoid scrunching out all the gel cast if you want your curls to last longer.

Curlsmith Hold Me Softly Style Balm & Styling Soufflè

Ingredients for Long-Lasting Curls

Selecting the right hair products that are designed for moisture retention will give longer-lasting results. Here are a few ingredient types that are best.

Film-Forming Humectants

Hydrate the hair and create a film on the hair that helps slow the rate of evaporation. Popular ingredients include:

Aloe vera
Flaxseed
Slippery Elm
Irish Moss
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Pectin
Nettle
Guar Gum
Xanthan Gum
Marshmallow Root

Proteins

Proteins help strengthen the hair and improve moisture retention. Damaged hair has gaps in the cuticle that easily let moisture out. Protein helps fill in those gaps and keep moisture in.

Common proteins include:

Hydrolyzed ___ protein (many different plant sources)
Peptides
Amino Acids

Emollients & Occlusives

Emollient ingredients help moisturize and soften the hair reducing the effects of dryness. Occlusives help to coat and seal the moisture in the hair.

Shea Butter
Cocoa Butter
Murumuru Butter
Castor Oil
Jojoba Oil
Apricot Kernel Oil
Rice Bran Oil

The Curlsmith products used in this routine contain several ingredients above. The Hold Me Softly Style Balm contains Aloe, Olive Oil, Avocado Oil, Apricot Kernel, and other oils and butters. The Styling Soufflè contains several film-forming ingredients such as Irish Moss, Aloe, Flaxseed. Both products also contain Resurrection Flower, a desert plant known for its moisture-retention properties.

Products Used

How to Protect Curls in Between Washes

Protecting curls overnight and during workouts are essential to prolonging your style. It’s normal for your gel cast to dissipate as the days go on due to natural movement, friction against surfaces, touching your hair, and wind. However, keeping as much of that gel cast in as possible is key.

Overnight

Wear a silk or satin bonnet at night and sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase as a backup. Getting a properly fitting bonnet and putting it on correctly will ensure it’s effective at protecting your curls. I share how to put on a bonnet in the video above.

Workouts

I also love wearing a bonnet to protect my curls during a workout. I work out at home, so I don’t mind. However, if I were to work out outside or in a gym I would use a silk scarf or a silk scrunchie.

During the Day & Around the House

Avoiding touching your hair is possible. I pin my front pieces back loosely with mini claw clips. I push the hair forward before pinning it so it’s not stretched out. When laying around on the couch on surfaces where there is friction, you can wear a bonnet or lay a silk scarf over top. This is also a good trick to use on your car’s headrest or along the rim of your coat where it rubs against your hair.

Even with all the proper steps and products, refreshing is still needed usually and that’s normal. Gel can gradually start to dissolve from your hair and you will likely need to add more water and gel to restore that cast. To learn more about how to refresh, check out these posts.

Don’t forget to check out the 25% off Curlsmith sale before it ends, end of day Monday, Feb. 14, 2022.

Seeing this after the sale? You can use code GENAMARIE10 anytime to save 10% on your first Curlsmith order.