Curly hair often presents a struggle in preserving that freshly washed hairstyle. Many seek ways to refresh curly hair, understanding it’s an essential skill for a practical regimen. There are countless reasons why mastering this art of refreshing is key, especially between wash days.
As someone with naturally curly hair, I’ve learned from hair texture specialists and stylists that not every day requires washing and styling. It saves time, cuts down on costly necessary products used daily, and keeps my locks looking lively.
By following their advice, I transformed my haircare routine into something truly manageable. The top tips and tricks I adopted include using just enough product to revive curls without overloading them, ensuring each twist and turn remains bouncy and vibrant.
How to Refresh Your Curls?
Ways to Refresh Your Curls
Skip Frequent Hair Washing
As someone with curly hair, I’ve learned from specialists and stylists that you don’t need to wash your hair every day. Instead, you can refresh your locks to keep them lively and bouncy. A spritz of water can reactivate your gels and stylers from the previous day, and a bit of scrunching can bring back the vibrant twists and turns of your hairstyle.
I adopted these top tips and tricks to make my haircare routine more manageable. By using just enough product to revive curls without overloading them, I transformed my approach and saved time, cutting down on costly and unnecessary products. This practical regimen has become an essential skill for preserving my freshly washed look between wash days.
Style Your Curls in the Shower
When refreshing curly hair, start in the shower. Instead of waiting to tackle styling in front of the bathroom mirror, put your products in the shower and begin the process right after you rinse out the conditioner.
If you face the challenge of low water pressure, use a continuous spray bottle to generously spritz water onto your hair before applying the product. Often, just a light spritz is enough. Many gels can be easily reactivated by water and scrunching, enhancing your curls without extra effort.
Use Silk Pillowcase or Satin Bonnet while Sleeping
To keep your curls looking their best, consider the impact of your nighttime routine. By sleeping on a silk pillowcase or under a satin bonnet, you can avoid the damage that cotton pillowcases often cause.
Cotton roughens the cuticle of your hair, making curls less defined and more prone to dryness and breakage. In contrast, silk and satin help to protect the structure of your curls, maintaining their definition and health.
Before bed, try pineappling or double-pineappling your curls to keep them intact, and a buff or bonnet can add an extra layer of protection. This simple change in your routine can significantly refresh and enhance the look and feel of your curls.
Protect Curls with the Pineapple Method
To keep your curly hair looking fresh, consider the pineapple method while sleeping. This involves pulling your curls into a high ponytail, using a satin pillowcase or bonnet to minimize frizz. Hair stylist Leigh Hardges advises this method of wrapping the hair as it helps maintain hairstyles and hold the shape for those with medium to long-length hair. However, this technique might be difficult for those with shorter hair.
The Pineapple Method
For those with curly hair, the pineapple method is an excellent way to refresh your twisty treasure without causing dents or creases.
- Start with dry or slightly damp hair, and flip your hair forward.
- Gather it at the highest point on your head into a loose ponytail using a soft satin scrunchie or tie.
- Bend so your hair hangs towards the floor, then secure it loosely to avoid making it too tight.
- In the morning, wake up, remove the scrunchie, shake out your curls, and use a bit of water or leave-in conditioner if needed to complete the refresh.
Use of Water Spray Bottle or Mister for Refreshing Your Curls
To refresh your curly or coily hair without causing buildup, start by lightly misting your hair to reactivate any product you previously used. Ensure the products are water-soluble, so they easily blend again when you spray them. For those with wavy, fine textures, you might want to add some volumizing foam and finger-coil or scrunch to reform the curls.
Certain Hair Balms work wonderfully,, especially when gently finger-coiling or scrunching into the hair. You can let it air dry or use a diffuser on a low heat and low-speed setting for a controlled finish. For thicker hair textures, applying a small amount of gel and careful finger-coiling is crucial, especially if your hair is coarse or has low porosity where water tends to sit on the cuticle rather than being absorbed.
Consider Co-Washing
Changing your routine on wash day can make a difference in how long your result lasts. Instead of reaching for the shampoo, try co-wash your hair with your favourite conditioner. Get your hair wet and use the conditioner like you would a shampoo, or choose a dedicated cleansing conditioner. Start your whole styling process from scratch.
By skipping the shampoo, you help your hair retain more moisture, leading to a more defined, healthy, and long-lasting finish. This method has transformed my curls, keeping them lively and well-hydrated.
Frequency of Refreshing the Curls
For those who aim for a low-maintenance approach in their hair care routine, focusing on preventative measures during styling can reduce the need to refresh their curls often. In my experience, the less you manipulate your hair, the better it retains its natural bounce and moisture.
However, if you’re fine with a bit more work between wash days, using a co-wash or a re-activating product can be beneficial. I often find that refreshing my curls one to two times a week, especially if I extend the time between washing to 10 days, keeps them vibrant and well-defined.
Tools Required to Refresh Your Curls
If you are willing to spend some essentials in refreshing your curl’s, here are some tools which are definitely worth it:
PIN CURLS
To rejuvenate your curls, start by taking small strands and spritz them with water. This simple trick revives the textures and waves of frizzy or stretched curls. Apply a strong hold gel for lasting definition.
For pin curls, gently wrap the curl around your finger; use two fingers for larger curls. Carefully slide the curl off your finger and pin it to the scalp using a duckbill clip or bobby pins in an X formation.
After repeating this process with all necessary sections, use a diffuser on low heat to dry quickly. Once the pinned curls are cool, release the pins or clips and enjoy your refreshed hairstyle.
PERM RODS, FLEXI-RODS OR CURLING WAND
To refresh your curly hair, especially if you’re dealing with an old perm or a flexi-rod set, the key is resetting those stretched areas. I’ve found the best use of my time is to avoid heat whenever possible.
Instead, I reset my curls with perm rods overnight. By early morning, they are usually dry. I apply a wrapping lotion that works wonders—then carefully roll the stretched curl back onto the perm rod.
For those in a hurry, apply low heat to the wrapped area for the quickest results. Once dry and cooled, remove the rod to reveal a beautifully tight curl.
Conclusion
Managing curly hair isn’t about achieving perfection but making progress. It involves trial and error until you discover the right combination of hacks and routines. Through consistent practice, you learn which methods and tweaks suit your lifestyle and curl pattern. Embrace this journey to let your curls thrive, enhancing your life one curl at a time.
FAQs
How can you refresh your curls?
To refresh your curls, start by using a spray bottle to drench each section of your hair. This helps to clump and redefine any frizzy or undefined areas. After that, gently pat dry with a flour sack towel and apply some gel to hold the shape.
How to freshen up curly hair without washing?
To keep your curls in great shape on no-wash days, use a water-less method like dry shampoo. This trick is especially handy post-workout to prolong the time between washes. For nightly care, sleeping on a satin pillowcase or wearing a bonnet can place your curls perfectly and prevent frizz.
How can I revive my curly hair naturally?
To naturally revive your curls, always start with moisture. Using hydrating shampoos and conditioners, followed by leave-in treatments and deep conditioning hair masks specifically for curls, can significantly boost the health and vibrancy of your hair.
How do you freshen dry curly hair?
To refresh your dry curly hair, start by washing your tresses with the right shampoo. This helps to cleanse and prep your curls for further nourishment. Next, apply a deep conditioner to infuse extra moisture into your mane.
Once the conditioning treatment is complete, dry your curls properly to avoid frizz and damage. Finally, coat your strands with hair oil to seal in hydration and add a glossy finish.
Dive into the world of curls with Farah, a celebrated curly hair expert whose passion and expertise have transformed her into a beacon for those seeking to embrace their natural hair texture. With a vibrant career spanning over a decade, Farah has dedicated herself to the science and art of curly hair, making her an authoritative voice in this niche. Her deep understanding of curly hair’s unique needs and challenges allows her to craft personalized care routines and styles that not only enhance the natural beauty of curls but also promote hair health.