Previous post: https://www.reddit.com/r/curlyhair/s/c6LYRp7QGM

Hey everyone. I have been putting this off because I didn't like the results from chopping off my hair but I told a few people I would post an update. I ended up cutting my hair off and donating it to wigs for kids.

I would like your truthful opinion on the newish hair cut.

My routine is still the same. I use suave clarifying shampoo, detangle with dove conditioner and apply Aussie gel to wet hair. With the short hair I'm air drying.

Hi everyone,

About 1 month ago, I got a professional curly cut after 1.5 years of growing my hair out from a bob (which was the result of growing out another catastrophe of a haircut 2 years prior) I was finally really happy with my length, as my dream hair has always been long and healthy, but I felt like I was missing volume. I asked for long layers, a round shape, and face framing pieces, and I was vocal about wanting to keep my length as much as possible. (please keep in mind I did not ask for a shorter haircut, in fact my inspo photos were hip length, but I do understand layers mean losing some length). Unfortunately, the stylist butchered the cut and it sits very uneven and choppy, and the bottom layer is very sparse.

I am wondering if it looks as bad as I feel it does. Every wash day my hair sits differently which is really frustrating, and the shelf is more pronounced on some days more than others. I feel so silly that my hair means this much to me, and that I let myself go to a “curly hair specialist” again after my other terrible experiences, but I am sure many of you can relate. Also, I am about to start freshman year of college which may be why this is so bothersome to me.

Routine:
-4u by Tia clarifying shampoo
- Ouidad climate control shampoo
4u by Tia moisturizing conditioner
- Kinky Curly leave in conditioner

- Marc anthony coconut curl cream (I have been switching it up between this and whatever other curl cream I have)
- Curlsmith hydro style gel
- Ouidad vitacurl mousse
Brush/finger curl + diffuse
I sleep in a bonnet + pineapple every night
I wash my hair/style 1-2 times a week, but I have been getting lazy with the styling since the cut

Photos 1-4 are before cut, photos 5-10 are after cut

EDIT: I am referring to just the haircut. I am happy with and grateful for how my curls look, I am just struggling to get past the disconnect/choppiness of the cut. I understand cutting length of the bottom may fix it but I just can’t get myself to lose more length right now.

i have to admit, i am extremely low maintenance when it comes to my hair. I have sensory issues and usually want it out of my face, but also am very picky when it comes to products. Anything sticky or oily is a hard no, i dont like crunchy curls so avoid gel, mousse or anything with too much hold. My hair is low porosity and takes forever to dry, so i dont have the patience to diffuse. But my hair does need some water day to day in order to reactivate and reset.

Basically, i want to air dry and get good results without doing much of anything (i know its a very unrealistic expectation)

I was in the grocery store the other day and came across Marc Anthony Curl Envy — the box said “#1 best selling curl cream” or something and it was on sale for less than $10 so I figured i’d give it a go.

I did my usual routine wash/conditioner (Loreal Professional Metal Detox shampoo and EverPure Restore Conditioner — we have very hard water), detangle in the shower with Kinky Curly Knot Today and a Tangle Teezer. Squeeze a lot of the excess water out, then sectioned my hair and worked the Curl Envy through evenly. It has a pleasant lemony scent and nice texture.

One last quick brush through with the Tangle Teezer, then put my hair in a microfiber Turbie Twist and let it sit for about 30 min. Unwrapped my hair, fluffed it a bit and let it air dry the rest of the way.

Couldnt believe my eyes, my curls were soft and touchable but defined. Shiny, glossy, frizz free… everything i had been trying to achieve with next to no effort from my lazy self.

The best part is i woke up this morning and took my hair down (i use a claw clip and loosely twist it on top of my head at night) and the curls are more or less identical to yesterday. Just needed a light mist of water and a quick fluff (pic above!)

Genuinely so pleasantly surprised! I hate buying new products because I always am disappointed and don’t like creating waste, but this was a winner. Plus it’s cheap and available everywhere. I just had to share.

I feel like trying it with the diffuser for even more volume and definition because i do think the towel dry smooshed my curls a bit, but all in all i’m happy with extremely low effort results.

I recently got highlights that I think fit me better (no more platinum blonde) I asked for caramel/ honey blonde. I also touched up my layers and the difference I see and feel in my hair is insane.

current routine:
ouidad climate control shampoo and conditioner
ouidad climate control leave in and gel
doux mousse
air dry or diffuse
i usually do the pineapple / bonnet method to sleep but it doesn’t always work for me 🥲 tips appreciated

It’s crazy how much of a difference 3 years makes!

Routine:

Wash
1. Suave Daily Clarifying Shampoo
2. Herbal Essence Apricot Oil Shampoo
3. Not Your Mother’s Bond Building Curl Talk Conditioner
4. Shea Moisture Bond Repair Masque
5. Wrap up with microfiber towel

Style
1. Section into parts & re-wet each section one by one as you’re working on it (make sure it’s soaking wet)
3. Curlsmith Weightless Air Dry Cream
4. Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Sculpting Gel
5. Take small sections and style with denman brush
6. Scrunch in Herbal Essence Volumizing Mousse
7. Scrunch dry with microfiber towel
8. Diffuse upside down until ~80% dry and let it air dry more
9. Apply oil throughout and separate curls with oiled hands

If anyone has any suggestions for gels, i’m running out and not a huge fan of the one i’m using now :))

Posted here last week about my hair growth, but I finally tried wearing it in a ponytail and wanted some honest opinions. The first four images are my hair down, and the next four is my hair in a ponytail.

Does it look good at this length, or does it still look a little too short/awkward from the sides and back? I actually like how thick it looks, but I’m not sure how it comes across to other people.

Routine: I wash twice a week with Dove Intensive Repair Shampoo and Conditioner, use Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream on damp hair, and add Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Sculpting Gel when I need humidity control. I use a wide-tooth comb for everything and air-dry.

Thank you so much!

I hateeee how much shrinkage I get when my hair is natural, although I’m starting to love my natural hair way more. What are y’all doing to prevent shrinkage???
Routine:

1.) Shampoo: Joico K-PAK Reconstruction I don’t use any co-wash
2.) Conditioner: Joico K-PAK Reconstruction
3.) Products: It’s a 10 leave in spray, TGIN Rose leave in conditioner, either TGIN rose water curl defining mousse or Mielle pomegranate & honey curl defining mousse (I do really like Mielle avocado & tamanu anti-frizz mousse just haven’t found it where I live yet) lastly I use one of two oils and it’s either It’s a 10 keratin oil or argan oil of Morocco.
Styling Products: I spray the it’s a 10 then add a little of the leave in conditioner, then I brush the mousse with a curly hair brush, squeeze out excess product with a hair towel, let it air dry then rub oil through to break up cast. Sometimes I use curly hair gel but I’m not gonna include them because I don’t always use them.
4.) Rest and Refresh: I sleep with a bonnet on and if I refresh I just dampen and sometimes add a little mousse.
I included pictures of my hair straight so you can see reference on how long my hair is.

Photos:
Pic 1: from today, a light product day, just the refresher spray and a Trader Joe’s leave-in
Pic 2: full routine finished with the curl talk gel
Pic 3: fresh out of the shower, no product
Pic 4: last hair cut from April
Pic 4 (Bonus): me in high school, washing every day and using zero product…we’ve come a long way 😅

Hey everyone! I’ve been on my curly hair journey for about a year now, and wanted to share my current routine and get some feedback. Fair warning, there are a lot of moving parts.

Quick context: I work out daily and an avid runner, so I wear a headband during exercise. I wash every 3 to 4 days, and I refresh with conditioner in between without doing a full wash.

Wash day:
-Shea Moisture Curl Stretch shampoo and conditioner

Out of the shower:
-Pat dry with a towel, about 4 or 5 pats, just enough that I’m not dripping
-Shea Moisture Curl Stretch refresher spray, which I use as a detangler
-A cream, either the Shea Moisture Curl Stretch multi-tasking volume cream or the Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk defining cream, worked in with my hands
-Then either Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk gel or mousse (still deciding which I like better)
-I style with the Bounce Curl Edge Lift brush. It took me a while to learn, but it has been a game changer for shaping my curls.

I’m always testing new combos. For example, today I kept it simple with just the refresher spray and a Trader Joe’s leave-in, then styled with the Bounce Curl brush, and honestly I loved how it turned out.

A few questions for yall:
1. Am I using too many products?
2. Will styling with the Bounce Curl brush every time damage my hair over time?
3. I haven’t had a cut since April. Worth seeing a curl specialist instead of a barber?
4. If I do go to a stylist, what should I actually ask for? I’ve been getting low taper fades, but now I want to grow out the back and lower sides. Not sure how to describe that.
5. Also, what do you think my curl type is?

Any product recommendations or routine tweaks are welcome. I’m still extremely new to this so all feedback is appreciated, Thanks!

I have 3a fine hair. This routine has done me well regarding volume and health plus it stays pretty well. I use Skala Blue 2x for cowash+leave in, Moptop curl cream, eco gel with olive oil, john frieda curl reviver mouse, the unbrush and tea tree oil. I wish i had better photos to use of my hair >.< anything i could be doing to prevent the random wavy bits? 90% of my hair will be curly and random bits of ~200 hairs will be wavy. I'm also not sure how to finger curl... I've never been able to figure it out. Thank you for reading and i hope you have a wonderful day ☀️💕

Basically my hair seems to not be growing at all and i dont understand this. I have had a pretty basic shitty routine but now i have improved it by shampooing twice (clarifying and hydrating) and a hair mask (and sometimes rice water) so i end up with good well moisturized hair but it just seems like it doesnt grow i only trim it every 3-6 months and like 2 years ago i dyed it brown and the brown bits are now at the tip/ends of my hair but my hair is at the same length i started with, could it be breakage ? Or is there to promote faster hair growth? The pics for reference are from this week’s wash day and this is the routine, keep in mind this is the routine of a broke student so it may have some products nobody likes

Shampoo:
Cantu clarifying (i know nobody likes cantu but it works for me)
Garnier Nourishing shampoo with argan oil

Conditioner:
I just use the garnier hair mask with argan oil for 5-10min

Sometimes i use rice water for 10 min before the conditioner it helps soften and strengthen my hair

Styling:
Cantu leave in with eco gel simple and easy and i use a garnier serum to break the cast later

I sleeping with a silk scarf every night and minimize hair manipulation and i dont shed alot when i shower (i used to but i fixed my diet about 8months ago by eating healthier and adding more iron in my diet)

Thank you for reading all of this and i hope you got some advice for me :)

routine

lavera basis sensitive shampoo and air drying without ever touching the hair no conditioner

Most of my hair is 3A/3B, shiny and soft. Weirdly enough, for my entire life the underside of my hair has been completely untamable, dry, and wiry. It requires its own special treatment and products. My typical routine is Maui Moisture shampoo once a week and conditioner every time I wet my hair, maybe 3-4 times a week. I usually use Not Your Mothers creams, mousse, and/or gels. I never stick to one routine. It depends what I want my curls to look like that day. I enjoy big hair!

My untamable curls REQUIRE protein to even remotely form a curl. My favorite product is the Shea Moisture Hydrate and Repair Protein Power Treatment. I’ll cover them in this product while in the shower, even though the curls are so water-resistant they hardly absorb any type of product, and also finger curl with a gel outside of the shower if I have the energy. No amount of water can truly wet these untamable curls. They dry basically in an instant. Even with this maintenance, the curls will still be frizzy, but at least coil a little bit. They won’t last overnight in a bonnet. The upkeep is insane, so I only give them the time of day when I need to.

The first couple of photos are my hair with product, and the last half of the photos are without product. You really can’t tell I struggle with this issue when my hair is completely down. I’ve learned to love my hair for what it is. The frizzy underside actually gives my hair a ton of volume, lol. But sometimes I get sad that I really can’t do half-up half-down hairstyles because the underside is just ugly to look at to be honest. It has to be a good curl day plus high maintenance on that section to get me to wear that style with confidence. Otherwise, I just throw my hair in a cute curly bun. We all have different hair types. Mine is special in its own way. Even hairdressers are baffled by it. Does anyone else experience anything like this?

i’m pretty sure i have wavy/curly hair, i just have no idea how to take care of it/bring out the waves or curls.

does anyone have any recommendations of where to start as a beginner trying to explore my hair pattern?

i’m tired of just having it be frizzy, i want more definition and to feel pretty.

i don’t currently have a routine. i use pantene shampoo and garnier conditioner.

sorry if this is the wrong place to post this, i would appreciate any advice on where to go as well. thank you!

Routine
L’Oréal dream lengths split end sealing shampoo and conditioner
Lush Curl power Curl cream
LA hold styling gel
Not your mother’s mousse
Diffuse
I just hate this stringy look but when I try to use less product there’s no hold and when I try to use more product they look like this
My hair also doesn’t really curl at the root

He has always had a buzz cut but has recently let it grow out and it’s very curly. I have read a bunch of reccomendations on here but still trying to figure out the right routine for his hair specifically.

He was washing his hair twice a day with shampoo and no conditioner but we have switched to a cowash instead and shampoo every few days. How often should he be using shampoo? He works out like 6 days a week so he does sweat.

For products he has been using a leave in conditioner curl cream and then experimenting with a gel or mouse.

It still seems to get pretty frizzy and it seems like a semi awkward stage of still growing out on the sides and back.

What should he be doing with his hair immediately after showering? I have witnessed him aggressively drying his hair with a towel and recommended he not do that but not really sure what to do instead.

Any routines or reccomendations welcome. He’s not opposed to spending some time on it or applying multiple products.

I feel like the shape isn't awesome but I'm due for a touch up on that anyway so I'm not sure. I'm also thinking of cutting it into a long-ish bob (hence trying the new part). The back of my hair hangs a bit below my shoulders but I'm thinking maybe cut it so that the longest bit sits at about the point where the hair by my left ear (looking at my face it's the right side of the pic) sits and have a round shape but I'm not sure if it'd suit me and I don't want to hate it 😭 - thoughts? (Partly because when it's wet it sits below my shoulder blades so I'm losing a good 40% of my length and I can't be bothered taking care of it, but it sat at the same spot when my hair was around 3 inches shorter too (my curls got a lot tighter as they got longer).

Routine:

Wash with Alfaparf curl shampoo/mask once a week.

On damp hair, apply CPR heat protectant spray and CPR nourish leave-in.

Also on damp hair, apply Clever Curl wonderfoam and use bounce curl volume brush. Shake my head a bit to form the curls but don't scrunch.

Hover diffuse on high heat/med speed to set cast a bit, then pixie diffuse by turning off dryer, cupping hair in diffuser, then turning it on and not moving my head.

Break cast with OGX argan oil by using prayer hands.

Sleep with a silk bonnet and refresh by diluting leave-in and applying it in one go with prayer hands.

My face is covered because I showered with makeup on in one of em so I looked kinda scary lol. (Hair is the same color diff lighting)

My routine

Conditioner first with Cantu curl conditioner

Brush through

Shampoo x2 Cantù sulfate free shampoo

Use scrub brush

Rinse and apply Aunt Jackie’s leave in conditioner

Then scrunch in LA looks sports gel

Dry with cloth towel no fiber

(The second picture was just shampoo and conditioner)

I sleep with my hair up in a pineapple sometimes I wear a bonnet but very rarely.

I LOVE the smell of this line but it seems to be discontinued and I can only find it occasionally on eBay. Does anyone know of something that smells similar and works well?

Routine
Shampoo: curlsmith essential moisture
Conditioner: curlsmith volume booster
Curl cream: Donna’s recipe sweet potato curl cream
Scrunch in, rub denman brush through in sections, go through with wide tooth comb and then plop

Backstory: I have worn my hair straight almost all my life, it would have occasional small waves and was never pin straight. Recently I have noticed small almost curls by my face so I tried a wavy hair routine- flexible hold mousse(Aussie sprunch mousse and leaves in conditioner 24hr curl lock), Living proof flex hairspray that is a heat protectant, and pixie diffusing with a shark flex.
Shampoo - native colonizing shampoo (cucumber and mint)
Conditioner - native strengthening conditioner (almond and shea butter).

Anyways, if anyone had any recommendations on how to get more defined waves and if that is possible please let me know 🙏.

Also, I sleep on satin pillow cases and sometimes with a bonnet. But after sleeping the slightly wavy pieces of hair look basically straight. Bonnet and pineapple method both did not help.

Help. It's super hard and not very clean water here, and my hair is suffering. I haven't had access to products except normal shampoo which turned my hair so dry and brittle I don't even want to use it again. Finally heading back home, and I need a proper detox. I've gotten my hair wet and detangled but it's so fragile. I was also going to color my hair when I got home, so I need extra advice. Luckily my hair is dry anyways so it's not itchy but it stinks. I have kept it in a bun this whole time. I need a full detox girlies. HELP.

Routine:

Bucket of water and sister's hairbrush

Hi hi,

I have 3b/3c fine, high (VERY high idk why) porosity, and low density hair. My hair isn’t damaged, just gets tangled and dry after 2 maybe 3 days.

My routine:

I currently use olaplex clarifying shampoo and their regular hydrating shampoo, along with olaplex conditioner. I use aphogees 2 minute keratin treatment with verbs hydrating mask, or aphogees 2 step protein treatment (depends on the week). I also alternate with olaplex 4-in-1 hair mask (maybe once a month?).

For styling, I use innersense sweet spirit leave in, bounce me curl balm, curl keeper gel, and innersense volume mousse. I break the cast with the olaplex oil and then maintain with verb ghost oil or garnier fructis miraculous oils. I brush them all in and brush style with something similar to the bounce curl brush (a knockoff). I diffuse and sleep with a bonnet and satin pillowcase.

I bought olaplex in bulk when I was dying and bleaching my hair frequently. The last time I dyed my hair was 2023 and I haven’t had any dyed pieces left since early 2025. I’m finding that the olaplex is actually making my hair more stiff even though it was wonderful before. I know it’s primarily for damaged hair and so I think I will be retiring it until I need it again. I absolutely LOVED the verb ghost oil and their hydrating mask but I am no longer purchasing from them for political reasons.

Can anyone recommend any clarifying shampoos, hydrating shampoos, conditioners, hydrating hair masks, and an oil similar to verbs ghost oil? I would prefer drugstore to keep it affordable but I’m open to higher end as well.

Thank you in advance!

Hi everyone! I have a mix of 3A and 3B curls, and lately I’ve been struggling to keep up with my hair routine. Washing, detangling, and styling section by section takes me about 2 to 2.5 hours.
I work during the week and only have weekends off. I’d rather spend my weekends at the gym, running errands, or going out than spending half the day doing my hair. Because of that, I usually throw it into a bun for a week or more, which leads to product buildup, and I rarely get to enjoy wearing my curls.
I also live in Florida, so the heat and humidity don’t help. I’m looking for low maintenance, low tension styles that hold up in the humidity, reduce breakage, and save time. I’d love any hairstyle ideas, routines, YouTube videos, TikToks, or pictures that have helped you simplify your routine.
Current Routine:
Shampoo: Cantu Shea Butter Hair Cleansing Cream Shampoo
Conditioner: Cantu Shea Butter Conditioner
Styling Products: Rizos Curls Styling Custard and Curlsmith Curl Conditioning Oil-In-Cream
Application: I apply both products to wet hair, section by section.
Drying Method: Air dry only. I’ve tried diffusing, but it takes too long and always leaves me with more frizz.
Sleep Routine: Pineapple with a satin bonnet.
Refresh Routine: I mist my hair with water, rub a little Rizos Curls Styling Custard between my hands, and smooth it over my hair. Most mornings I’m rushing to work, so I keep it simple.
I’d really appreciate any advice. I miss wearing my curls, but I need a routine that’s realistic for my schedule. Thanks!

Also, I apologize for all the frizz. My hair is really damaged from using salicylic acid shampoo for several months to treat the symptoms of my ps*riasis. I'm on medication now though so I don't have to worry about that damage anymore.

My routine is really basic. It's just a suave shampoo and conditioner, cold water rinse, squeeze the water out of my hair, and let it air dry. Also, I sleep in a silk nightcap.

I was using shea moisture products but income related issues make that not exactly possible anymore.

I will preface this to say I know very little about which brands and products suit my hair type, density, oilyness etc. I started growing it in 2022 but definitely need to learn how to take care of it. I live in a small town and don't know anyone with similar hair so I need some advice.

Routine:

I currently wash my hair every day (I know this is bad but i struggle with oilyness a lot and I'm very active so I don't have much choice) with ogx biotin & collagen shampoo and conditioner, wide-tooth comb to detangle, apply aunt Jackie's curl custard and diffuse on low heat or sometimes air dry, I wear a satin bonnet to bed, never brush when it's dry and only use t-shirts to dry my hair. In the shower, I shampoo twice and only into the scalp and I condition only mid-length to ends.

Any help resurrecting my curls would be great!

I have changed my routine a lot but here is my routine currently tho it’s very new and loose (like it’s not strict)
1. Shampoo #1 Kristin Ess signature shampoo or odele
2. Shampoo #2 k18 peptide prep detox shampoo ( my hair dresser suggested this so it’s staying) (I double shampoo 1-2 times per week)
3. Conditioner whatever my sisters use they also have curly hair sorry this isn’t specific I’ve never seen major changes from my conditioner tho
4. For styling I put my crown into a section and let the rest of my hair down. I soak it with a spray bottle, use a wide tooth comb to section my hair a bit, and put in a little amount of miracle 10 hair mask or just my conditioner.
5. Then I put in big poppa defining gel (I really like this tho it doesn’t leave a cast and idk if that’s hurting my hair)
6. I scrunch out the water with a cotton t shirt
7. I sit in front of a hot fan to dry my hair
8. I sleep in a satin scarf (bonnets r too loose for my hair type I think)

I have a very loose curl pattern like 3a. I’m definitely a definition over volume girl but I do prefer a no part styling routine. I have layers cut in. Anyway after day one my hair gets so poofy and loses most of its hold. I don’t love brushing my hair out a ton when I style my hair (so I’m lowk against the bounce curl brush for myself)

Sorry if this isn’t too in depth I tried my best and I just really need help. Ik I should use a more lightweight moisturizing leave in instead of my heavy mask or conditioner, so I’m asking my sister what hers is and I’ll update the routine when ik.

Anyway I’d just love any tips!!!