How to Achieve Max Definition & Volume for Curly Hair | Curlsmith

Step 1: Mist clean hair with water

Purpose: Curls need water to help them form their shape and be defined.
Tips: Evenly wet the hair but don’t soak it to where it’s dripping to maintain volume.
Product: Spray bottle

Before we apply our styling products, we want to make sure our hair has the right amount of water in it. 

The more water in your hair, the more defined and clumped your curls will be, but the less volume you will have.

The more dry your hair, the more volume you will have with more frizz and stringiness.

Step 2: Apply a volumizer (optional)

Purpose: Aid in fullness, plump curls, provide grit
Tips: Focus it on your roots
Product: Volumizing lotion, spray, foam

This step is optional, but to really amp up the volume in your hair you can apply a specific product for volume. Some people like to use foams or texturizing sprays, but I prefer this Curlsmith Volumizing Lotion because I can really see a difference in the fullness in my hair and it’s not drying. This creates fullness within the hair strands themselves.

If you’re using something like foam, you can definitely focus that on your roots area to create grit there.

Step 3: Apply a moisturizing base styler (Optional)

Purpose: Moisturize, clump curls, smooth frizz

Tips: Opt for something lightweight to maintain volume and something with a bit of hold to aid in definition
Product: Leave-in, curl cream, light hold gel

Next is a moisturizing base styler, which can be in the form of a leave-in conditioner, a style cream, or a light-hold gel. If your hair is very fine and doesn’t need much moisture, you can skip this step too.

I’ve been experimenting with the Frizz-Free Rescue Curl Retainer which is actually more of a gel, but I find it to be very moisturizing due to the oil content and it provides just a soft hold so I like to layer it with other gels.

This Curl Retainer contains a tri-oil blend of sunflower seed, watermelon seed, and argan oil. It’s supposed to help in humidity by providing an invisible coat on the hair.

Step 4: Apply a gel

Purpose: Tame frizz, define curls, create shine
Tips: Opt for a medium-hold gel to maintain more fullness. Apply gels before styling for max definition.
Product: Gel 

The next step is probably the most important product, and that is to apply a gel. I used the Shape Up Aqua Gel which has become one of my favorite gels of Curlsmith’s because it has that lightweight liquidy texture that I love. It contains moisturizing ingredients so you could even use this as a single styler if needed.

It provides a light to medium hold which will provide that definition that we’re going for and longevity. 

To still get good hold out of this, I recommend applying it liberally in sections for maximum coverage. You can also apply it before you brush style for extra definition. This gel has a ton of slip so it’s easy to style with it in.

Step 5: Style

Purpose: Enhance curl definition and clumps, increase longevity, control curls
Tips: Avoid over-clumping the curls and separate them when wet
Product: Styling brush and/or comb, or just use fingers

This is probably the most important and that is styling. Styling techniques are what give you control over how your curls turn out. If I skip styling and go straight to diffusing, my curls end up stringy and flat.

You can style by using a brush or just your hands with various techniques.

Step 6: Microplop

Purpose: Absorb excess water to decrease dry time and enhance volume
Tips: Lift the hair at the root and scrunch all the way to the top for more root definition
Product: Hair towel

This step is quick but it’s essential if you have a lot of water in your hair still and especially if you plan to air dry. 

Microplopping is simply scrunching with a hair towel which absorbs excess water and creates added definition and shrinkage. 

Step 7: Diffuse

Purpose: Lock in curl cast, curl shape, and volume. Lift roots.
Tips: Use diffuser prongs to lift roots
Product: Hair dryer and diffuser attachment

The next step is to diffuse and this is crucial if you want your roots to actually dry with some volume. I use the Curlsmith Defrizzion hair dryer and the XXL diffuser attachment, which allows me to cover basically my entire head at once. It also has prongs that extend out past the end of the diffuser which helps to create root lift and volume.

I do some upside-down diffusing while hovering just to start the drying process, but scrunch diffusing gives me the best volume and definition.

Make sure you’re not moving too fast when diffusing or being rough or it’ll create frizz.

Use the prongs of the diffuser to lift the hair at the roots and hold. The heat of your diffuser will set the bonds in your hair which create that curl shape, locking it in.

Step 8: Hairspray (optional)

Purpose: Extend the longevity of curl definition, add texture for volume
Tips: Lift roots up or apply claw clips and mist roots with hairspray
Product: Hairspray

This is a completely optional step, but adding a hairspray can really help if you’re someone who struggles to get hold or your hair feels too soft and won’t hold volume. 

The Curlsmith Flawless Finish Flexible Hold Hairspray gives a firm hold but it allows you to have more movement and flexibility in your curls.

Lift your hair at the root and give it a little spritz. Use your hands to full up the roots. You’ll notice more texture and grit that will hold the volume up longer. You can also try spritzing it while your hair is in the clips too.