Build a curl routine with fewer layers.
Start with the care your hair needs.

Give each product a job

Shampoo cleans your scalp and removes residue. Conditioner helps the lengths slide apart during detangling. A styler changes the finish or hold. Start with products you already have for those jobs before adding another cream, oil or mask.

Choose the finish you want

For defined curls, focus on spreading your styler evenly and keeping curl groups together while they dry. For more fullness, add a little root lift after drying. You can keep defined curls around your face and a fuller shape elsewhere.

Wash when your roots need cleaning

• Wash when roots feel oily or coated instead of waiting for a set wash day.
• Work shampoo over the scalp with your fingertips and rinse thoroughly.
• Keep your usual care for the lengths.
• If a product stings, rinse it off and stop.

Try leaving out one extra layer

• If curls feel coated or flat after several styling layers, keep shampoo and rinse-out conditioner.
• Next wash, leave out one extra cream, oil or leave-in while keeping your usual styler.
• Judge the feel and shape once fully dry before changing another product.

Give the styled hair time to dry

• Spread and scrunch your styler on damp or wet hair, whichever the bottle calls for.
• Leave curl groups alone until the roots, inner layers and ends are dry.
• If drying runs past bedtime, move the wash earlier.

Choose a cleanser that removes your residue

Use a shampoo that leaves your scalp clean and comfortable after a thorough rinse. If your roots still feel coated, check that you reached the whole scalp and rinsed well before switching formulas. Keep any treatment-specific wash instructions.

Browse cleansing products. The consultation uses your wash frequency and scalp concerns to recommend a shampoo.

Keep detangling slip in the routine

Use rinse-out conditioner on the wet lengths that catch together. Spread it through those areas using the bottle’s amount, detangle gently, then rinse after its stated time. Keep your usual conditioner if it already leaves your hair easy to detangle.

Browse rinse-out conditioners. Your tangles, past treatments and preferred finish help guide a personal conditioner recommendation.

Pick hold for your preferred finish

For defined groups, try one gel with the hold you want. Check its amount and whether it goes on damp or wet hair. Once fully dry, soften any unwanted stiffness with clean, dry hands before changing products.

Browse styling products. Tell the consultation how much hold you want and which stylers you have tried.

1. Wash the scalp and rinse

Wet your hair thoroughly. Spread shampoo over the scalp and gently work it around with your fingertips, including behind the ears and at the nape. Rinse until the lather is gone. Use the linked method for the full washing sequence.

2. Condition and gently loosen knots

Apply rinse-out conditioner through wet lengths. Work in small sections, supporting the hair above a snag and easing strands apart with your fingers from the ends upward. The linked wet-hair method shows the movements. Rinse after the conditioner’s stated time.

3. Add a styler if you want hold

Use the gel’s stated amount on damp or wet hair, whichever it calls for. Spread it through the areas you want to define, then cup and gently lift the ends. The linked method shows how to release each section before moving on.

4. Let the styled hair dry

Set the part and let the lengths hang loose. Leave curl groups alone while they dry. Check the roots, nape, inner layers and ends. Once everything is dry, soften any unwanted gel stiffness by gently scrunching with clean, dry hands.