There’s nothing worse than watching your perfectly defined curls go down the drain after you wake up. If there were a magic wand that kept them frizz-free every day, we’d all invest in it. In the meantime, several options can refresh curly hair and bring it back to day one standards.
If you’re looking to invest in refreshing your curls this season, here are eight products, tools, and techniques that will do the job.
1. Water
Sometimes, just a spritz of water is all you need, especially if you’ve already added plenty of stylers on day one. For instance, many gels will be reactivated with water and scrunching.
2. Leave-in Conditioner Spray
Whether you purchase a leave-in conditioner spray or make your own, the combination of conditioner and water can soften and refresh dry and frizzy curls. This Taliah Waajid Green Apple and Aloe Nutrition leave-in conditioner is filled with nutrients that help to repair the hair and scalp.
3. Q-Redew:
The Q-Redew handheld hair steamer is a curly girl favorite for refreshing and adding moisture and volume, intensifying deep conditioners, and stretching the hair. By placing the prongs near the stretched area, you’ll get a warm vapor that moisturizes and helps curls spring back to life. It can be used on its own or with a leave-in conditioner.
4. Finger Coils
Image Source: @justbbritt
Transitioning curls can have an even harder time looking springy, so doing finger coils can help. Apply your favorite styler to day-old curls and twirl each strand around a finger until it appears twisted. Then, scrunch your curls and let them air dry.
5. Hair Gel
Hair gel can provide a major hold for old curls that need style longevity. Spritz the area with water or a leave-in conditioner first, then apply a small amount of styling gel to each curl. Scrunch curls well and let air dry, or use a diffuser on the cool setting for faster results.
6. Styling Cream
If a softer hold is your style, refresh using a styling cream. Applying the styling cream to each curl that needs to be smoothed and scrunched is similar to using a hair gel.
7. Pin Curls
Looser waves and textures can benefit from an old hairstyling trick called pin curls. Take small strands of curls and spritz water, then apply a strong hold gel. Then, wrap the curl around your finger. If the curls are larger, use two fingers. Slide the curl off the finger and pin it to the scalp using or a duckbill clip or bobby pins in an X formation. Repeat the process on any frizzy or stretched curls. Use a diffuser on low heat to dry quickly. Once pinned curls are cool, release pins or clips.
8. Perm Rods, Flexi-Rods or Curling Wand
If you’re trying to refresh an old perm or flexi-rod set, make the best use of your time by resetting stretched areas. If you choose not to use heat, prepare to reset your perm rods overnight or early in the morning to give them time to dry. To reset, use a wrapping lotion like ApHogee Style and Wrap Mousse, then roll the stretched curl back into the perm rod. Apply low heat to the wrapped area for the quickest results. Once the area is dry and cooled, remove the rod to reveal a tight curl.
What are some of your favorite ways to refresh your curly hair? Share with the NaturallyCurly community down below in the comments.
