How to Style Curls that Fall Flat, Don’t Last, or Are Overly Soft
If your curls fall limp, frizz, struggle to hold a curl, or feel too soft and flat, then you need a to make these teaks
We all experience frizz, especially on next-day hair and while refreshing. There are several common “mistakes” that you could be making in your routine that are causing frizz. Today I’m sharing some alternative things you can try to reduce frizz and help your curls last longer after wash day.
Frizz is inevitable and we all have it. It’s not something you necessarily have to “fix.” Frizz can provide volume and create a softer, fluffier look. However if you are looking to reduce frizz, hopefully these adjustments to your routine help.
There are several factors that impact how long your wash day lasts and if you develop frizz. I put together the chart below to illustrate the importance of certain factors compared to others.
Light hold products are great for volume and fullness, but oftentimes don’t hold up after wash day resulting in frizz. Even after refreshing with light hold products, the frizz will usually return by the end of the day.
Instead, try using products that create a strong cast on the hair. This is usually a gel or a mousse. Creams are meant to provide moisture and help style but they will not provide enough hold to protect from frizz. If your gel is not creating a cast or if it’s frizzing up after you scrunch it out, you need a stronger hold gel or one that is formulated better.
Humidity causes our hair to frizz up due to the water vapor in the air. Sometimes even using a strong hold gel is not enough in high humidity.
Instead, look for products with humidity-blocking ingredients in them like polyquats and polymers. These include:
Polyquats are best when used in the last step of your routine, such as in your gel, mousse, or hairspray. You can layer a product with these ingredients on top of your regular stylers to add a barrier from the humidity.
Those with high-porosity hair, damaged hair, or overall dry hair will likely lose moisture after wash day which often results in frizz. This type of frizz often looks like flyaways and feels rough and brittle. Curls will fall and appear stringy if you don’t have enough moisture on wash day.
Instead, try using a cream underneath your gel as a moisture base layer. Also look for gels that contain film-forming humectants and oils, which help trap moisture in the hair and slow the rate of evaporation.
Film-forming humectants include:
Below are the best curly hair products for long-lasting hold and reactivate with just water. Most of these also contain film-forming humectants and humidity-blocking ingredients. They all are my favorite gels for an easier refresh routine.
Simply scrunching some product in your hair is fast and easy, but often can result in frizz by the end of the day. More precise styling techniques will help your curls stay frizz-free longer.
Instead, try sectioning your hair and applying gel very thoroughly from root to tip. Brush styling can also help to distribute product and creates curl clumps and ringlets that keep frizz tucked away. Finger coiling is another option for longer-lasting ringlets.
Constantly touching your hair breaks up the gel cast resulting in frizz. Any type of friction will also cause frizz, such as laying on a cotton pillow, your couch, or the headrest on your car seat. Putting your hair up tightly multiple times a day can also cause frizz and stretched-out curls.
Instead, try wearing a bonnet when you’re lounging around at home, or protect your curls with a silk scarf. I have a bad habit of touching my curls, so I like to pin my front pieces back with mini claw clips or a spiral headband to not dent my curls.
When putting your hair up, use a silk scrunchie to prevent breakage and dented, stretched curls. My favorite ones are from Curlfriend Collective (10% off with code GENA10).
Friction on your pillowcase and moving around at night will lead to frizz and cause more work to refresh.
Instead, protect your curls at night with a bonnet or scarf. Also, sleep on a silk pillowcase for maximum protection. 15% off Lilysilk with code Gena15.
Just scrunching in some water or product to refresh won’t work for everyone, including myself. My hair gets very tangly and frizzy on next-day hair.
Instead, when refreshing, try picking up individual frizzy pieces and smooth over them with water and/or a little bit of gel. Gently separate any knots with your fingers and finger coil to help the curl return to its shape. Scrunch gently.
Super tangly hair and excessive shedding are signs of needing a trim or a haircut.
Air drying after refreshing (and on wash day) can cause frizz to form as the hair is drying.
Instead, try diffusing after refreshing for at least a few minutes to set the gel cast. The quicker the cast is set, the hair won’t frizz up as it’s drying. The low heat will also help “set” the curl shape in place so the curls hold their shape longer.
I hope these alternative techniques help reduce your frizz on next-day hair. Don’t be afraid to just wash your hair if that’s what is best for you. Not everyone can go 6+ days in between washes and that’s ok. As long as you’re not washing every single day, your hair will be fine. However, by implementing these techniques, you can save yourself some time on refreshing and hopefully reduce frizz overall.
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