How to Get Your Curls Back | Step-by-Step Routine for Curlier Hair

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Are your curls in need of a reset? Whether if they’re feeling dry, limp, and lifeless, or if it’s simply your first time trying to wear your natural curls after years of wearing it straight, this routine will help to bring your curls back to life.

I’m also sharing a brand new product from Ouidad, the Unbreakable Bonds Mixing Drops, which are a convenient way to repair and prevent hair damage.

1. Pre-Poo Oil

Did you know our hair is weakest when it’s wet? Removing tangles while your hair is dry may be a better method to try especially if your hair is damaged and fragile. Use a bit of oil to gently separate tangles and remove loose hairs with your hands. 

I used the Ouidad Mongongo Oil Multi-Use Curl Treatment because it’s fast-absorbing and contains essential fatty acids to soften and protect the hair. This will also help protect the hair during the shampoo process by protecting the cuticle layer from friction and excessive swelling.

When our hair is damaged, the hair can lose even more proteins during washing and become weaker due to small cracks in our cuticle layer. Oils help to lubricate the strands and fill in those cracks in the hair’s cuticle. The key is to not overdo it with the oil. Let it sit overnight to fully soak in for at least a few minutes prior to shampooing.

2. Clarify & Chelate

For shampoo, I’m used the Ouidad Water Works Clarifying Shampoo, which is a special shampoo that removes hard water minerals, buildup, and impurities.

Having hard water in your home is super common, and it can really wreak havoc on our hair. Natural minerals such as calcium cling to the hair over time, causing it to feel brittle and dry. These minerals can’t be removed with a regular clarifying shampoo, which is why you need a chelating shampoo with special surfactants that are able to remove them.

This shampoo gives a deep cleanse, so it’s something you just use every couple of weeks when you’re hair is in need of a reset.

3. Deep Condition

After doing a deep cleanse, always follow up with a deep conditioner to replenish moisture.

The Ouidad Ultra-Nourishing Intense Hair Mask contains oils such as argan, olive, macadamia, and sunflower oils to soften, condition, and prevent breakage. You only have to leave this in for 5 minutes, which makes it easy to use.  After 5 minutes, rinse it out thoroughly and wrap the hair in a hair towel.

4. Leave-In + Drops

For the styling routine, I prepped my hair with the Curl Reboot Nourish & Strength Leave-In Mask for lightweight moisture.

I’m adding in the new Ouidad Unbreakable Bonds Mixing Drops. All you need is 2-3 drops and it can be added to any styling products or leave-ins. 

The Mixing Drops are fragrance-free, and formulated with unique bond-building technology, vegan collagen, and hyaluronic acid to strengthen and prevent breakage. This is such an easy way to work in a bonding treatment because you just add it to your existing products. 

If you’re not already familiar with bond treatments, they work to repair damage from the inside. They actually relink broken hair bonds, including hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds, and disulfide bonds. After using bond treatments, I always seem to notice that my curl pattern is enhanced and overall more defined. 

They also contain rice protein, so if your fair is damaged or if it just loves protein, you can add these into any styler. The hyaluronic acid in these drops is also unique because it will help hydrate the hair.

5. Mousse (Optional)

This step is totally optional, but I wanted to share another new product from Ouidad, the Advanced Climate Control Featherlight Volumizing Foam. 

This is a non-aerosol foam that helps to create volume and fullness. I like using it underneath my gel to help create root lift and volume.

You can check out my Instagram Reel going up this week to learn more about the foam and for tips for getting more fullness.

6. Gel

To add hold and tame frizz, I applied one of my all-time favorite gels, the Advanced Climate Control Stronger Hold Gel. I prefer to apply it in sections to maximum definition.

This contains proteins, moisturizing ingredients, and humidity blocking polyquaterium. It has high slip making it perfect for those with damaged or tangly hair.

7. Style (optional)

This step is totally optional, but I like to use styling techniques such as brush styling and finger coiling. Using styling techniques will help your curls form their shape and help them last longer. Whenever I just scrunch in some product and go, my curls dry stringy and flat.

Once I’m done styling, I like to microplop to remove any excess water and speed up my dry time. I’m avoiding scrunching my top section since I tend to get the most frizz there. If frizz forms, you can glaze in a bit more gel after.

8. Diffuse

Diffusing helps to set the curl shape and lock in your gel cast, preventing frizz. I like to hover my diffuser first to prevent frizz, then once I feel a slight cast form, I scrunch diffuse to encourage shrinkage. I also use the diffuser prongs to lift my roots and create more volume.

If you want your curls to last longer especially in humidity, avoid scrunching out your gel cast. However to get more fullness and a softer look, you can scrunch it out. Once my hair is fully dried, I flip upside down and fluff out my roots. You can also use a bit of oil if you really want to soften it up and add shine.

Final Results

I’m sure you’re probably wondering the difference between all the bonding treatments I’ve tried and which I recommend, and it really comes down to your application preference. Some require shampooing after, whereas others are leave-ins. Some contain proteins and some don’t.

The added ingredients and the ease of use are the biggest advantages of the Ouidad drops.

Healthy curls take time

If this is one the first few times you’ve styling your natural curls, just remember that it takes time and consistency. It took my about 4 years to transition back to my natural curls and grow out all my damage.

While products can prevent further damage and strengthen the hair, it’s important to get regular trims to restore your hair’s health.

Watch this to learn how to refresh curly hair with little to no water and prevent damage.