How to Refresh Curls? Step By Step

Have you ever felt like you aren't refreshing your curls properly between wash days? Do you experience frizz whenever you refresh them? Or do they just appear worse once you're done refreshing them?

This post is for you.

The how is always a problem in the curly hair community, because refreshing curls after day one isn't as easy as we think. Many people struggle to find the right technique to refresh their curls, which can make them look dull, sticky, and heavy.

However, it doesn't have to be challenging. I've uncovered the trick to having popping curls on the second, third, and even fourth day after washing your hair. And guess what? It takes just a few easy steps.

Now you no longer have to manage in between wash days. Instead, you can now slay your well-defined curly, wavy, or coily hair. If you want to learn the secret to having shiny, bouncy, and soft curls without washing, keep reading this post.

What You Need to Refresh Your Curls

Lifeless curls don't have to be the routine. So, make them take back their shape and become shiny by using the right products and tools.

What do you need to refresh them?

Here are some of the things to gather:

1.  A spray bottle with water

2. Gel

3. Diffuser

4. Curl cream or any other product of choice, like a curl restore spray

5. A comb

Once you have your tools ready, you can start refreshing.

A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Refresh Your Curls

Refreshing your curls is actually very easy (I know I said it can be difficult, and you’ll see why later). But I'm sure it takes less time than any other preparations you do for the day. Just a few simple steps can activate them, keep them moisturized, tame frizziness, and add shine.

Now, it can be difficult if you do not know the right products to use, don't access your hair properly, or follow the correct steps. (Don’t worry, we will figure that out together in the steps.)

Take note that the product you're applying determines how your curls will look. While some products will make them heavy and dry, others allow them to thrive. Likewise, you need to figure out what your hair needs at a particular moment and the best way to apply those products.

What I’m getting at is that you treat each step of your refresh seriously. Choose the best product that suits your hair texture, learn what your hair needs, section before refreshing, reactivate it, apply products if necessary, then use a diffuser.

Let's see each step below.

Step 1: Put your Hair in Sections

You'll be surprised to discover that one reason your hair becomes frizzy is that you styled it without sectioning.

It sounds hard to believe, but it's the truth. Not sectioning your hair can cause frizz due to the lack of product circulation and uneven wetting. But you can control the application by putting your hair in sections, which also helps you target the areas that need more attention.

So, if your hair is not tangled, divide it first before moving forward in the refreshing process.  

Step 2: Hydrate with Water

Those with thick, coarse hair do not need to wet their hair for a refresh. However, fine curly hair needs hydration, as it doesn’t hold its shape like thick hair.

Add water to a spray bottle and apply the mist to your hair. The water will help to reactivate the products you've applied the previous day and make them bouncy again.

Focus on the areas that are frizzy and undefined. For me, I like to pour a little amount of water on my hands and detangle those areas with frizz before spritzing with the spray.

Some people recommend drenching, but you don't have to, as it can cause your curls to become flat after refreshing. So, although water is the first essential to refreshing your curls, you mustn't apply too much or too little.

Make sure to also avoid rinsing off the previous day's products with water before refreshing. It only makes things worse.

Step 3: Apply Your Products (If Necessary)

There’s a formula you can follow to know if you should apply a product: if your hair is still soft but has a little frizz, you can add only water. However, if there are other issues like dryness and dullness, you will need to apply a curl cream or gel and a leave-in.

This is why I mentioned earlier that you need to assess your hair first before using a product. You can tell if it needs more hold and definition or if you should skip it.

📌If you need to hold, take a little amount of gel in your hands, add water, then rub it together in your palms. This prevents the product from weighing down your hair.

📌You can also use a curl cream, but I wouldn't recommend it for those with wavy hair, especially if their hair is not dry and brittle. This is because curl creams can weigh down the hair.

So, avoid using it or any other heavy products.

👉Quick Note: During refresh, focus on reactivating your curls and controlling frizz using lightweight products. Avoid overcoating your curls; it only makes them sticky and heavy.

Step 4: Use the “Praying Hands” Method

The praying hand method is a styling technique that helps control frizz and fight brittleness and dryness.

It's a technique you can use to distribute the product in your hair, allowing you to maintain your curls for the longest time.

The method involves putting your hands together (like the praying gesture) with your hair in between and gliding from the root to the tip.

It's the best technique to use after rubbing your products together on your palm. But avoid smoothening in the opposite direction. That is, from the tip to the root. Moving in that direction causes frizz.

Also, detangle your hair with your comb or fingers. If you need more definition, you can add it with your hands in the areas necessary.

Step 5: Diffuse to Lock in Products and Add Volume

This is the last refreshing step, and it is as important as the previous ones.

Diffusing helps to lock in the moisture, make your curls bouncy, and even keep them in shape.

What I noticed when air-drying was that my curls stretched out and frizzed. But diffusing helps control it. In just a few minutes, my curl pattern was set, and I got the volume.

When you refresh with this, make sure it is on low heat, and you flip your head to the side when lifting the root for volume. You can fluff it out once you're done, so it doesn't remain stuck.

Result? A beautiful, voluminous curly hair.

Avoid Doing These Things When Refreshing Your Curls

- Scrunching Your Hair with Your Hands

I'm very aware that this is a common method used when refreshing; however, it is wrong. Scrunching with your hands causes frizz, especially if you do not do it correctly.

So, instead of scrunching, use the prayer hands method as I advised above.

- Using products that dry out the hair

Products that contain alcohol or are very heavy aren't the best for refreshing curls. They lead to dryness and frizziness.

Try using products that moisturize, such as sprays, gels (a little), and curl creams. Keep in mind that the goal is to rehydrate, refresh, and define your curls.

- Soaking your hair with water

As I mentioned, avoid rinsing your hair in water before refreshing your curls. It can cause frizziness and weigh your curls down.

What's recommended is to dampen your hair with a spray bottle or a light mist.

- Using too many products

You do not need a lot of products to refresh your hair. In fact, you might not need to use any at all if your hair is still defined. So, take time to assess your hair before rushing to use a product on it.

- Touching your hair too much

I don't want you to do all the work and lose that curl definition or experience frizz. Curly hair is quite delicate, and touching it more than required will make it lose its definition.

Tips to Maintain Your Curls After Refreshing

There are a few ways to maintain your curls and keep them refreshed for days. Some of them include;

1. Protecting Your Hair at Night

Friction can lead to frizziness, which means you may need to reactivate your curls more often if you do not protect your hair at night.  

However, the solution is to use a bonnet (silk or satin) when going to bed. These materials keep your hair protected and safe from damage caused by your bedsheet and pillowcase materials.

2. Not Touching Your Hair throughout the Day

Another way to maintain your refreshed curls is to avoid touching your hair during the day. Constant touch may break the cast you’ve applied, leading to frizziness.

It can also ruin the definition, wasting your effort and products.

3. Wear in Protective Styles

Extend your curls by wearing your hair in different protective styles. From buns to braids and ponytails, you can keep your curls lively. These styles prevent breakage and damage. They can also help retain moisture in the hair.

Final Thoughts

While this post provides you with the ultimate guide to refreshing your curls, the right creams, gels, and products make your effort worth it. So, try out different formulas designed for your hair to see what works for your curls.

Whether you’re working with natural curls, curly wigs, or curly extensions, these tips will help bring your curls back to life with more definition, softness, and bounce.

Once you figure it out, stick to it. You can avoid experiencing dryness, brittleness, and even disappointment by using the best product for your hair.

Also, remember that using many products doesn’t work magic for your curls. What does it use one or two products, and only when necessary?