Finally my current curly hair routine is here! This has been one of my most requested videos. My previous curly hair routine on how to wash and style curly hair is my most popular video of all time.
To be honest my routine hasn’t changed that much in 3 years. I’m using a few different products but the method is similar. I truly believe that while products are amazing at helping your curls, the techniques are just as important to your curl results.
It’s too hard to film in my shower at home, but if you really want to see a video of how I wash my hair, let me know and I’ll see what I can do.
With this updated curly hair routine, I’ve included details of the products I recommend and how much to use as well which I hope you’ll find helpful.
If you want to learn how to style your curls & 30 fun ways to wear your hair, you’ll love my ebook – 30 Days of Curly Hairstyles.
Now I’m sure you’re ready see the video so here it is.
My current curly hair routine video tutorial
Click here if you can’t see the video above
My favourite products for curly hair
Shampoo and conditioner
For this video I used the Darshana shampoo and conditioner. I really love this range and their hair oil as well. You can find Darshana online here and in Australia here.
Hair Treatments
Crucial to keeping my curly hair looking good are plex treatments. I’ve written a lot about plex treatments here and I love using Olaplex No 3 or Matrix Bond 3.
If your hair is healthy these probably aren’t necessary but if you do a lot of heat styling or colouring your hair I definitely recommend them.
You can find Olaplex here in Australia or here in the USA. Matrix Bond is available in salon or online here.
And this is the only comb I use in the shower – it’s the best.
Deep Conditioning
I love the Shea Moisture masks, especially the Jamaican Black Castor Oil Masque because it gives my hair a really beautiful slip and helps tame any frizz while I’m still in the shower.
The Shea Moisture masks are quite rich and can be heavy in fine hair. You may prefer to use a product like Kinky Curly Knot Today instead or just your regular conditioner.
Shea Moisture is available here in Australia or here in the USA.
Kinky Curly Knot Today is available here in Australia or here in the USA.
Curly Styling Products
If you have been following me for a while, you’ll recognise thee products. I’m still using the Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie as a curl cream and then the Taft Mega Styling Gel to stop frizz from forming.
This part of any curl routine can become the most complicated and I’ve got a future post coming on the different types of curl creams and when to use them. And if you have any questions about gel, check out this post on using gel in curly hair.
Shea Moisture Smoothie is available here in Australia or here in the USA.
Taft gel is only available in Australia but try this alternative for the USA.
My Hairdryer
Previously I have used the ghd Air and the Parlux hairdryers – both of which I still recommend as excellent pro hairdryers. But if your budget can stretch, the Dyson really is far superior. The Dyson diffuser is the best I have ever used and it takes under 10 minutes to dry my hair. It’s definitely an investment but for me, it’s worth it.
You can find the Dyson Supersonic here in Australia and here in the USA.
Finishing Products
To control that fluffiness at the end, I finish my hair with either oil or serum. For a long time I’ve loved the Darshana hair oil and you really only need to use a drop of this. A new product I’ve been introduced to is the Marc Anthony Bye Bye Frizz serum which is silicone free.
You can find Darshana online here or in Australia it’s stocked here.
Marc Anthony serum is available here in Australia or in the USA here.
While I don’t strictly follow the Curly Girl Method, all the products I’ve featured do fit within the method. I wore these curls for just normal day but to amp up the volume, I would follow this big curls routine.
Sometimes curly hair routine videos actually raise more questions than answers so if there’s anything that you have a question about, please ask in the comments below.
Also tell me about your curly hair routine! I’m always curious what other curlies do and what products are your favourites.
I’d love to see your hair if you try my routine, please tag me on Instagram or use #hairromance so I can see you.
Hi Christina! Have you ever used R+Co products? If so, what do you think of them? Thank you so much!
I noticed in another post you recommended styling fine curly hair with a mousse. If I use a mousse should I still use the Denman brush? Would I use a cream before the mousse? I still get a cast with mousse so would you scrunch it out when dry like you would a gel? My hair is fine but I have a lot of it so it appears thick, and my curl pattern ranges from 2b-3b but my curls are easily squished or pulled straight.
Thanks in advance!
Hello Christina,
Could you do a video where your hairdresser explains how he cuts your layers? I would love to have something quick to show a stylist. “Long layers” is interpreted in so many ways, many of which are not curl-friendly. Thank you!
Hi I am back again, ok, I am having a little trouble ordering the shampoo and condition you recommended, it is out of stock. Do you have any other recommendations? Ideally I can use the shampoo 1 once a week and can use the conditioner twice a week, once with the shampoo and once alone as a cowash situation. My other question, if it is ok, I have fine hair and I really want a great deep conditioner, for once a week use… but I am nervous about the shea moisture being heavy. Do you have any other recommendations.
Also I got the opalex and love it thank you!
Hi Melanie, are you in Australia or the US? In Australia I’ve just started using a new brand, Rumbie & Co, which is awesome (and you can support a local, Black-owned beauty brand)
Or if you’re in the US, try the SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Yoghurt line which is great. Hope this helps! x
Hi
Can I use this routine everyday?
Should I use the opalex before I shampoo? Do you condition then use the mask like a second conditioner?
Is it possible to still use up my existing Kérastase shampoo ect buying the new products over time, or would you not recommend mixing CGF with non friendly products?
Thank you so much in advance!
Hi Melanie, yes you can do this every day, but ideally you wouldn’t have to wash your hair every day. Check out my tips for refreshing curls here.
Strict CG would have you throw all your products away but i would keep using them if you like them. As for Olaplex, I would only do this treatment once a week.
Hope this helps, Christina x
Thanks you so so much! I have watched the refresh curls vid and it great! Your content is so very helpful! Thank you!!
Hi, loving everything you do here. what settings do you use on your Dyson?
thank you! I use medium heat & speed when I diffuse x
Your routine has made a big difference for me, thank you! However, I read that you say a good stylist and the right cut is key. Do you have a description of your haircut? What is your stylist doing for your curly hair that is key? I’ve had so many wrong things done to my hair over the years that I completely understand what you mean, but haven’t found anyone to execute a good cut.
Thanks Kelly! I think layering really helps curly hair to set better and at the moment I get long layers and face framing layers but in the past I had a V-shape or U-shape cut. I’ve got a post about haircuts for curly hair here xx
Thanks so much Christina! I’m a 17 year old Kiwi male with fairly curly shoulder length dark brown hair with blonde highlights at the end and you’ve been incredibly helpful. I’ve only recently found out how curly my hair actually is and I’m trying to embrace it!
Thanks so much, Jack! Really glad I could help 🙂
I read the Curly Girl Handbook and started following the method about a week and a half ago. I’m shampooing with Raw Curls every two or three days at the roots only; I condition with Raw Curls conditioner and rinse only lightly, leaving most of it in. Then I apply a palm-full of LA Looks gel and scrunch with a t-shirt. I diffuse dry, because waiting for it to air dry is time I won’t get back at the end of life. Before bed, I ‘pineapple’ it, so it’s not touching my face.
What a tedious process, by the way. But my curls went from pure frizz to pure silky whirls. Finally, I can wear my hair down instead of the frustration bun with a scrunchy I’ve been unhappily rocking for years. (I’m not good with styling. Makeup, I can do — hair, I am just hopeless. “Easy Braid” tutorials might as well be quantum physics).
BUT…there’s a stone-cold deal-breaker: Since starting Curly Girl, my skin is trashed. I have always had good skin, even in my teens, and I’m meticulous about caring for it. Now, there’s abundant acne everywhere my hair touches when worn loose. It’s like the universe saying:
“Oh, you figured out how to have nice hair? How adorable. Now I’m reverting your overall attractiveness back to its established baseline by ruining your skin. …Stop crying, you can’t have BOTH!”
I’m sorry to hear about your acne breakouts now that you’ve figured out how to get hair you love. That truly sucks! And I can relate to your comment about hair styling as I, too, am hopeless- quantum physics braids is relatable. Haha!
I really hope you can sort out the problem skin created by your new hair routine.
I have no experience to share but would suggest hitting curly forums to enquire- perhaps there are product suggestions that won’t contribute to acne. Maybe cross reference the ingredients in your products to ingredients that are known to be comedogenic and avoid products with those ingredients. Best of luck
Do you rinse the masque or do you leave it in then apply the smoothie afterwards?
Thanks for the great video, its perfect timing as summer is here in Florida and it it hot and humid 🙂
Hi Deanna! Thanks so much! I rinse the mask in the shower before applying the smoothie. Let me know if you try any of my routine and how it works for your hair xx
I love this article. Thank you for sharing your curly hair routine! #curlygirl XOXO
Thanks Shana! xx
Hi there, really useful video, thanks! I am really keen to try some of the products that you use but am
based in the UK. Do you know of a UK alternative to the Taft gel that you use?
Thanks x
Thanks Suzanne! Sorry I didn’t include any UK links but I really recommend the Boots own range. I bought some to test and the Boots curl cream and Boots hair gel are both total bargains. The gel can be hard to find instore as it’s amongst the men’s grooming but search it out as it’s great! x
I live in Africa (Egypt) and I don’t know any good products here. Would you maybe know anything I could buy?
Sorry for the trouble, and thanks in advance.
Do you normally use darshana shampoo as your go to or do you switch around? I’m nervous about going no poo and noticed from your other posts you use silicone based products, although darshana is silicone free… thank you and love your posts!
Hi Angela, I do switch around a lot as I’m always testing new products. I chose Darshana for this post though as it’s silicone free and sulphate free but still washes my hair really well and feels great. It’s a good all-rounder shampoo for sure and a lovely small business too. If I’m using a lot of silicone products, I normally use a regular Schwarzkopf shampoo to remove any product buildup. Hope this helps x