Why Your Curls Don’t Last + How to Fix It (Longevity Q&A + Not Your Mother’s Review)

Do your curls or waves not last through the end of the day — or frizz up almost immediately?
In this week’s video, I answered your most common questions about getting longer-lasting results and troubleshooting frizz and flattening, all while testing two new Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk products.

Q&A Highlights

These were some of the top questions I answered during the video — here’s a short summary of each.
(Watch the full video for detailed examples and demonstrations!)

1. What if mousse isn’t strong enough, but strong-hold gel is too heavy?

Try a lightweight strong-hold gel that doesn’t have many conditioning ingredients (like Curl Talk Flash Freeze or Curlsmith Fragrance-Free Strong Hold Gel). You can also use a stronger-hold mousse, like Curl Talk Mousse or layer a hairspray (Curlsmith or Living Proof) on top for added hold.

2. My hair is getting thinner and frizzier with less hold — what can I do?

Thinning hair often creates frizz from new growth or baby hairs.

• Focus on scalp health and gentle care
• Style for fullness by separating curl clumps or using lighter products
• Embrace a bit of frizz — it adds natural volume and coverage

3. I have fine, dry, wavy hair that falls flat easily. How can I get hold without crunch?

Start with a stronger shampoo (not too conditioning) and a light conditioner, then skip creams and use a light leave-in or none at all.

• Apply a strong-hold gel for longevity (see above)
• If you feel crunch, make sure you’re scrunching out the cast
• Can’t break the cast? You may have used too much gel or not enough water when applying. Watch this for more help with that.

4. BONUS QUESTION: How can I manage curly hair with a scalp condition like seborrheic dermatitis?

Your scalp health always comes first.

• Use your medicated shampoo and follow with a rich conditioner (avoiding your roots)
• Style upright in front of a mirror — not upside down or soaking wet — to prevent product from getting on your scalp
• Avoid plopping; instead, microplop to lift curls and protect your scalp from buildup

Wash Day Routine

First Impressions: Not Your Mother’s New Curl Talk Products

Curl Talk Moisturizing Lotion

This “lotion” is actually thicker than expected — it feels more like a curl cream. Despite the name, it’s quite creamy and moisturizing, containing several oils high on the ingredient list. It also has protein and heat protection, which is a nice bonus.

Curl Talk Strengthening Oil

Lightweight and silicone-free, made with watermelon seed oil and biotin for UV and breakage protection. It’s great for scrunching out a gel cast without leaving residue.

Curlfriend Collective Accessories

I also tried a few new accessories from Curlfriend Collective, including their cotton hair towel, silk-lined headband, and silk-lined shower cap.

They all feel super high-quality — the towel is soft and absorbent, the headband stays in place without denting curls, and the shower cap is beautifully made and adjustable.
I’ve been loving them so far for my non-wash days and styling prep.

Results: Wash Day & Day 2

I was really impressed with this combo! The Flash Freeze Gel gave me strong hold without stiffness, and the Moisturizing Lotion added softness and shine. On day two, I didn’t even need to refresh — my curls stayed defined and frizz-free.

After using both new products throughout styling, here are my final thoughts:

• The Moisturizing Lotion feels a bit richer than the original Curl Talk Cream and gave my curls a softer, more conditioning finish.
• The Strengthening Oil worked perfectly for scrunching out the cast — lightweight, shiny, and not greasy.
• If you have coarse or rough-textured hair, you’ll love this combination. For finer textures, I’d pair the gel with the Curl Talk Leave-In instead for a lighter feel.

This is a great routine for fall and winter when humidity is lower but you still want lasting definition.

Still struggling?

If you’re still struggling with getting your curls to last or your hair keeps falling flat, make sure to grab my free Strong Hold Cheat Sheet. It walks you through 10 simple steps to build hold from start to finish — so your hair actually lasts beyond wash day.

And if you’ve already tried everything and still can’t get consistent results, that’s exactly what we troubleshoot inside my Curl Coaching Membership. You’ll learn how to balance moisture and hold for your exact hair type and get personalized help with your routine.