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Style curls with rake-and-shake

Try rake-and-shake when you want to arrange wet waves, curls or coils with your fingers. Work through one detangled section, gently shake its ends, then let the curl groups settle without more raking.

Step by step

  1. A woman loosely gathers upper wet curls and fastens a sectioning clip while the lower lengths hang free.
    STEP 1 OF 8

    Move the unstyled hair aside

    • Start with clean hands and fully wet, detangled hair. If you use a styler, its directions must allow wet-hair use and air-drying; follow them for amount and placement.
    • Clip the upper hair loosely aside, leaving a lower side area free. Keep clips within reach so you can release the next area easily.
  2. A woman with wet loose curls holds one detangled side section between both clean hands.
    STEP 2 OF 8

    Separate one reachable section

    • Take a section narrow enough to fit between your spread fingers. Separate it from its neighbors all the way to the ends.
    • Bring the lengths forward without pulling the roots. If the section starts to dry, wet it again before continuing, as any styler directions allow.
  3. A woman spreads one hand through a wet curl section while her other hand supports the hair below.
    STEP 3 OF 8

    Slide spread fingers down the section

    • Spread the fingers of one hand through the hair just below the roots. Use the other hand to gather the lower lengths loosely.
    • Slide the spread fingers toward the ends, letting hair move through your lower hand. Stop at any snag rather than squeezing or pulling through.

    Keep the lower grip loose so the raking hand can travel freely. If the section is too wide or tangled for that, take your hand out and prepare it again.

  4. A woman holds the ends of one wet curl section with one hand and makes a small side-to-side shake while the other hand stays near the section.
    STEP 4 OF 8

    Hold the ends and shake gently

    • As the raking hand reaches the tips, let the other hand go. Hold just the ends lightly between your fingers.
    • Move that hand a little from side to side so the hanging lengths sway. Keep slack between the hand and scalp; do not pull the section straight.

    The movement comes from the hand holding the ends, not from shaking your head. Stop if the roots pull or the section starts to tangle.

  5. A woman keeps both hands clear of a released wet curl group while upper unstyled hair remains loosely clipped aside.
    STEP 5 OF 8

    Let go before moving to the next section

    • Open your fingers and let the ends fall. Move both hands away so the curl groups can settle.
    • Repeat the same rake, shake and release on the sections you want to shape. Leave finished groups loose instead of clipping or raking them again.
  6. A woman holds a sectioning clip open above her wet curls while freeing nearby strands with her other hand.
    STEP 6 OF 8

    Remove the remaining clips

    • Once you have shaped the sections you want, check for any clips still holding hair up.
    • Open each clip fully and free any caught strands before lifting it away. Let all the lengths hang loose for drying.
  7. A woman lifts an outer curl aside and feels the inner hair near the roots with her other hand.
    STEP 7 OF 8

    Let the hair dry, then check inside

    • Air-dry the groups loose without more raking or shaking. Once the surface seems dry, check a few inner sections.
    • Lift an outer group gently and feel near the roots, through the inner lengths and at the ends. Give any damp area more time before arranging it.

    Check the back as well as the sides. There is no fixed drying time, and a dry-looking surface does not show whether the inner hair is ready.

  8. A woman puts removed sectioning clips into a tray while her curl groups hang loose and both hands stay away from the hair.
    STEP 8 OF 8

    Finish only after the inner hair feels dry

    • Leave the dry curl groups as they are, or move just the few pieces you want to arrange with your fingers. You do not need to separate every curl.
    • Wash your hands and clean any used clips according to their care directions. Let the clips dry before putting them away.

About 10–25 minutes of handling for sectioning, raking, shaking, clip removal, checks and cleanup. Add drying time. Washing, detangling and any product application come first.

Practical estimate, not measured. Many small sections, long or dense hair, and a first attempt can take longer.

You’re done when…

All clips are out, the roots, inner lengths and ends feel dry, and the curl groups hang freely. You can leave the finish as it is or make small adjustments with your fingers.