Professional Looks with Curls

Professional Looks with Curls. We’ll cut through hype and show you what reliably moves the needle.

Your best routine is boring in a good way—same steps, small tweaks for climate and porosity, and predictable results.

Steps

1. Dry hands-off; break the cast only when fully dry
2. Layer gel/foam; rake then scrunch
3. Soak thoroughly before applying anything
4. Apply leave-in on soaking-wet hair

Toolkit

• Microfiber towel or T-shirt
• Hard-hold gel or mousse for humidity
• Chelating/clarifying shampoo (as needed)
• Satin/silk pillowcase or bonnet
• Deep conditioner/mask (monthly)
• Wide-tooth comb or flexible brush

“Technique first, product second.”

Example

For high humidity: leave-in + hard-hold gel, then hover-diffuse to 60% and finish with cup-and-hold. Don’t break the cast early.

Styling angle: apply stylers on soaking-wet hair, aim for even distribution, and keep hands off until fully dry to preserve definition.

Common Mistakes

• Skipping sleep protection
• Touching hair before fully dry
• Over-cleansing or never clarifying

FAQ

Best diffusing approach? Hover to 60%, then cup-and-hold; break cast only when fully dry.

How often to clarify? When hair looks dull/limp or after heavy products/hard water exposure.

Related Articles

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• Workout Refresh: Sweat‑Proof Tips — Field Notes #2
• Protein vs Moisture: Finding Balance — Playbook #2
• Plopping vs Microplopping: Which and When — Case Notes #2

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