Because this is the question I get asked more than anything:
If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me about my hair, I’d probably… well, I’d have a very expensive shampoo collection by now.
So, for all of you who have been asking, here’s my actual, real-life curly hair routine. Nothing fancy. Nothing delicate. Just what works.
This is my routine: everyone’s curls are different, and different products work for different people — what works for me might not work for you. Over the last 10 years, I’ve flipped between Aunt Jackie’s and Cantu, and honestly, I’ve found them to be over and above anything I’ve ever bought in a supermarket or a salon.
From here, I’ll take you step by step through what I do every wash day…
I wash my hair using:
When I condition, this is the only time I brush my hair.
I use a wide tooth combandbrushing the conditioner through the hair to get rid of knots. Curly hair + dry brushing = instant regret, so we don’t do that.
Once detangled, I rinse the conditioner out.
Straight after rinsing, I use:
I work it through my hair using the wide tooth comb again and this is officially the last time the comb touches my head. The key part now is I only partially rinse it out.
My hair is still dripping wet, with a decent amount of product left in. This is not an accident. This is the system. From there I scrunch the curls up, clip my hair in a butterfly clip,and hop out of the shower.
With a towel around my shoulders, I let my hair down and use a very generous amount of:
I work it through the ends with my fingers first, then into the roots, scrunching as I go. I use a lot of product. You actually want it to feel a little slimy at this stage — that’s how you know you’ve got enough slip. Curly hair is not the time to be stingy.
Once it’s in, I gently squeeze out some of the excess water and product. If there’s still a decent amount sitting in my hands after squeezing, it goes straight back into my roots. Waste nothing. Curls need it.
I flip my head upside down and start blow-drying. It is optional but a highly recommended part of my routine......grab a metal kitchen strainer. While your head is upside down, scoop your hair into the strainer and then use your hairdryer with the diffuser to get the moisture out. The strainer helps to keep curls super scrunched, conducts heat better and gives the curls extra definition. I use the strainerfor about 5 minutes, then continue drying normally with the diffuser (no strainer).
When my hair is about 80% dry, I flip my head back upright and finish drying.
For me, upside-down drying = volume. 🦁. Every time.
And that’s basically my adult curly hair routine, a little unconventional, but it works every time.
If you’ve got little ones at home, there's a much simpler version for them.......
For kids, I recommend:
Shampoo and condition as normal
Only brush when the hair is wet (again — wide tooth comb)
Don’t towel dry
Don’t squeeze out too much water. You want it almost dripping
Use fingers to apply Baby Curls
Let it air dry or gently diffuse
That’s it. No overthinking. No crunchy curls. No daily battles.
Brush only when wet
Water is your friend
Product goes on wet hair before hair dries
Curly hair likes confidence — commit to the process 😌. This is especialy important if you've been wearing your hear straight for ages. It may take a little while for your curls to come back. Be patient.
If you’ve ever wondered how I get my curls, now you know.
No secrets. Just conditioner, water, flipping upside down, and a kitchen utensil.
