How to Style Curly Hair After Shower?

If you’re fresh out of the shower and looking to style your curly hair, you’re in for a treat. This guide is designed to help you manage your curls with ease.

Curly hair can often be unpredictable and temperamental, making it essential to use the right products and techniques to tame it. Start with an alcohol and sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to keep your hair healthy and hydrated. After washing, focus on moisturizing and drying your hair properly to maintain its natural pattern.

Creating a solid routine is key to achieving perfect curls. Begin by applying a curl-friendly product right after the shower. This helps in defining your ringlets and reducing frizz. Using styling tools that are gentle on your hair will also prevent damage and keep your curls looking their best.

By following this guide, you’ll learn how to maintain your curls from pre to post-shower, ensuring you can enjoy great hair days ahead. Remember, the secret to perfect curls lies in hydration and healthy habits. So, embrace your naturally curly hair and let your curls slay every day.

How to Style Curly Hair After Shower? THE SHORT REVIEW

 After a shower, keep your hair soaking wet to help it absorb products better. Use a spray bottle to keep it damp, especially at the roots. While your hair is still wet, apply a leave-in conditioner or curl cream for moisture and shine. For thicker curls, section your hair and use a small amount of gel. Wet your hair and rake through with your fingers like a wide-tooth comb, moving in different directions to distribute curls evenly. Flip your head upside down, scrunch your hair with your hands to define curls, adding water or product if needed. Use flat pin clips at the roots for volume and let your hair air dry or use a diffuser. Dry your hair with a diffuser on high heat and low speed until about 80% dry, and use a heat-protecting spray. Smooth flyaways with a drop of oil and add volume by shaking roots gently with your fingertips. Choose a hairstyle that suits your personality and event, like a braided bun, twisted low bun, or side ponytail. 

How to Handle Curly Hair After a Shower?

After a shower, it’s the perfect time to style your curly hair. The water helps control frizz. Before heading out,  take a quick shower and give your hair a fresh updo.

Keep Your Hair Wet

After a shower, make sure your hair is soaking wet. Even if you skip shampoo, run it underwater to keep it damp. This way, your hair absorbs products better as the moisture opens the hair follicles.

Use a spray bottle to soak your hair, especially the roots. Keeping your hair wet helps it absorb products efficiently, thanks to the moisture opening the hair follicles. Find a spray bottle and drench those roots for the best results.

Use Curl Cream or Leave-in Conditioner

While your hair is still wet after a shower, it’s crucial to add products. This is one of the most important steps for managing curly hair. Applying a leave-in conditioner gives your hair the moisture it needs, making it soft and shiny. For thicker curls, separate them into sections.

Place a small amount of gel on your palm, spread it between your hands, and distribute it through your hair. Look for conditioners with lightweight hydration and moisture-locking oils. These will keep your curls soft and shiny, providing the necessary moisture they require.

Gel Filled-Finger Combing

When your hair is wet, start raking it using your fingers as a wide-tooth comb. Separating your fingers, rake your hair in a perpendicular direction to how it normally falls. For curls on top of your head, rake them towards the ceiling. Continue this motion all through your hair, moving sideways and downward to ensure your curls are evenly distributed.

Scrunch Your Twists

When your hair is wet, start scrunching to define your Twisty Treasure. Flip your head upside down and create a claw-like shape with your fingers. Cup your hair at the bottom, then scoop it towards your head while squeezing your fingers to scrunch. You should hear a squishy sound and see water dripping. If not, add more water or product and start by dampening your hair first.

Use Flat Pin Clips

To add volume, use flat pin clips at the roots of your hair. These clips hold your hair up at the roots so it doesn’t dry flat. Normally, I would let my hair air dry, but to speed things up, use a diffuser.

Let Your Hair Dry

After a shower, don’t forget to let your curly hair dry to keep your curls defined. Using a diffuser helps as the airflow hits the coils harder, maintaining their shape. Be patient and let your hair dry until it’s damp. Use this time to scroll through social media or catch up on work emails. Then, diffuse your hair.

Blowdrying Your Curls

When blow-drying your curls, always use a blow dryer with a diffuser attached. Set the dryer to high heat and low speed to avoid blowing your hair around and causing frizz. Let your hair fall into the diffuser, then bring the diffuser up into your hair and work slowly, one section at a time.

Blow dry your hair to about 80% dry to minimize frizz. Before starting, apply a heat-protecting spray to your hair to prevent damage by creating a barrier between the heat and your hair.

Tame Flyaways

To control flyaways, use a drop of oil to smooth and define the ends of your hair. For extra volume at the roots, try a simple trick: put your fingertips at the roots and give a tiny shake. Lift your hands straight out without running your fingers through your curls. If some curls look funny, dampen them with water and re-twist to get a better-shaped curl.

Choose Right Hairstyle

Once your hair looks nice and shiny, it’s time to complete the look. There are many fun styles you can try with curly hair. Choose one that matches your personality and complements the theme of your event.

If you don’t have any products on hand, try combing your hair from the bottom up or choose any easy updo ideas like braided bun, hair up with ringlets, twisted low bun, half-up, half-down, and side ponytail.

Common Habits Not Good for Your Curls

Hair Drying Procedures

The best way to dry curly hair is by air drying it halfway after a shower. Apply your curl cream while your hair is still wet, then wait until it’s 50 to 80 percent dry before you blow-dry the rest. Avoid using a cotton towel as it can be too rough and damage your hair if you rub it too hard. 

Sleeping Habits

To keep your curly hair looking great, develop a sleep routine to reduce friction while you’re asleep. This helps your curls retain their structure and prevents them from getting tangled. Apply some leave-in conditioner or hair oil before going to bed to tame your curls.

Pile all your hair on top of your head to avoid lying on it. Swap your cotton pillowcases for silk or satin ones to further reduce friction. It is good to use a silk/satin bonnet to keep your curls hydrated.

Use Heat Protectant

Excessive heat is bad for your curls as it can fry your hair, making them look dull and lifeless. To prevent damage, use a heat protectant spray before styling. This product acts as a protective layer, reducing the damage caused by heat. Ensure it’s alcohol-free. 

Choose Good-Quality Styling Tools

Be picky with your styling tools and avoid poor-quality hot tools with inconsistent heat as they can burn your curls. Opt for fast-styling tools to minimize heat exposure.

Conclusion

Taking care of your hair keeps it looking fresh. Having a beauty routine is critical. If you have curly hair, follow these steps after a shower and stick to a proper curly hair care routine.

FAQs

What to do with curly hair after showering?

After showering, comb through your hair to get rid of tangles. Apply a quarter-sized amount of curl cream you’ve chosen, and rub it between your palms. Cup your curls, scrunch them upwards to encourage curl definition, and use a hair mask or hair oil once a week for optimal health.

How to style curly hair after wash day?

After washing, use a cream and one or two gels as my hair loves these products and can handle an infinite amount. Smooth the product over, scrunch lightly, diffuse to ensure a dry scalp, and set the shape of your curls for a fresh, sprung-up result.

How do you scrunch curly hair after a shower?

Begin at the ends of your hair, gently squeeze a handful in your palm, and work upwards toward the root. Scrunch your hair in sections, repeat this step until all hair around your head is scrunched up to the roots for voluminous curls.