Figuring out how to style your curly hair so it lasts all week can be tricky, especially if you’ve never really learned what products your hair absolutely loves. Most of my clients want defined, healthy curls that hold for days without “getting poofy” AND an easy morning routine.
The good news? You don’t need a complicated 10-step routine or a shelf full of products to do this. You just need the right product(s) and styling method that fits your lifestyle.
For the longest time, I thought wearing my hair up or straightened was easier because I could just wake up and go right? Who’s been in that boat, or is still in that boat? But, there’s hope. Once I learned how to properly style and care for my curls, coupled with a good nighttime regimen, it changed everything. Now, I wear my bonnet at night, wake up, take it off, shake my hair out, and I’m ready to go (after getting dressed of course!). You can have it just as easy with your hair, too. Putting in the effort on wash day can give you curls that look and feel good all week, so you can spend less time “dealing” with your hair and more time actually enjoying it.
It’s Not About Your Curl Pattern
Most people think styling curly hair is all about the curl pattern (2a, 3a, 4a, etc.), but it’s really about your porosity, the actual fabric of your hair (the way it feels), using the right products, and your styling preferences. Do you care more about volume or definition? Are you looking for a style that’s softer and more lived in, or something that will give you more cast/crunch and last longer?
If you can give your curls your undivided attention for 30 minutes to an hour once (maybe twice) a week, you’ll have healthy, beautiful hair that lasts for days, without needing to refresh or restyle it every morning. There’s no one “right” way to style your curls, but there is a method that will fit your lifestyle and help you get the look you want.
The Rake & Shake Method for Curly Hair
The rake and shake method is probably the most common (and my favorite curly styling method). It uses your fingers to apply and distribute your styling product while encouraging your curls to form their natural pattern.
Here’s how it works:
- Section your hair
- Use a spray bottle to rewet each section ( we want the hair as wet as possible for optimal results)
- Rake in your product of choice from roots all the way through the ends
- Then gently shake your curls to help them clump together and give them a little scrunch
It’s that simple! This is my go-to for most clients because it’s easy, quick, and doesn’t require special tools-aka saving money. If you’re looking for an easy curly hair routine, the Rake and Shake is for you!
The Bounce Curl Brush Method for Curly Hair
Have you seen The Bounce Curl Brush yet? It was all over TikTok in 2024, and so naturally I had to try it. I’m so glad I did, because this thing is worth all the hype!
The Bounce Curl Brush is a lightweight, flexible styling brush designed specifically for curly hair. It has thick ridges on all the edges of the brush that encourage your curls to clump together as you’re brushing. It’s two types of bristles smooth frizz without pulling, while its pointed handle helps section your hair. Those bristles also help distribute product evenly for consistent results.
Basically, it was just designed by people who really understand what curlfriends want.
Here’s how to use the Bounce Curl Brush:
- Section your hair
- Use a spray bottle to rewet each section (remember the wetter, the better)
- Apply your styling product from roots to ends
- Glide the Bounce Curl Brush through each section from root to ends to smooth and define
- Repeat for each section
This method is great if you want your curls to look extra defined and don’t mind a bit of shrinkage to get there. It’s ideal for clients who want a polished look and perfectly juicy, bouncy curls
The Denman Brush Styling & Finger Rolling
The Denman Brush and finger rolling are methods often used to get super-defined, sculpted curls by brushing or manually twisting small sections of hair. They can create a very polished, uniform curl pattern and are often recommended for maximum definition.
But here’s the downside: they take a lot of time.
These methods require detailed sectioning and individual curl manipulation, which means you’re going to be sitting there for a while. The other thing to consider is length. Both of these methods cause maximum shrinkage because the curl is tighter and more defined. So if length is your goal, maybe you won’t love these methods?
But if you love the process and have the time, the Denman brush styling and finger rolling can give you beautiful definition and uniformity with juicy curls.
This method works best if you really know which products to use with it. If you’re not sure which products to use, check out my Curly Hair Products Guide to match your goals with the right styling support. But for most of my clients, there are easier, faster methods that deliver healthy, defined curls that last without spending hours on wash day.
Air Dry vs. Diffusing: What’s Better for Curly Hair?
A lot of clients ask me whether it’s better to let their curls air dry or to use a diffuser, and the truth is, it depends on your lifestyle, time, and the look you want.
Air Drying Curly Hair
Air drying is the easiest way to dry your curls. You simply style your hair and go about your day while your curls dry naturally. It can take anywhere from a couple of hours to 8 hours if you have mega-dense hair. Air drying is great if you’re low on time and don’t mind just a bit of frizz since moving around while your hair is damp creates friction, which can pull curls apart slightly and give a softer, more lived-in look.
But a word of warning! If you plan to air dry, you must do it early enough in the day so it’s fully dry before you go to bed. Going to bed with wet hair makes it a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus. No, thank you!
Diffusing Curly Hair
Ok, now let’s talk diffusing. Diffusing your curls gives a more crisp, defined curl with less frizz. It adds an extra 20-30 minutes to your wash day but speeds up the overall drying time. Diffusing also helps your curls keep their shape for longer, which is great if you want day-one hair to look polished and last throughout the week.
Personally, I love diffusing when I have the time because it really sets the products into your hair and gives you those perfect, defined curls with practically no frizz. But if you’re in a rush or want a softer look, air drying can absolutely work for you, too. And let’s not forget- frizz is totally natural when it comes to curly hair and it’s the secret to volume. Not all frizz is bad frizz!
My Favorite Diffusers:
How to Style Curly Hair to Last All Week (Without Overcomplicating Wash Day)
If you take one thing from this post, let it be this – styling your curls doesn’t have to be complicated.
Most of my clients are surprised when they realize that spending just 30 minutes to an hour on wash day can give them healthy, defined curls that last for days, without needing to redo them every morning. With the right products, the right styling method, and a plan that fits your lifestyle, you can actually enjoy your curls instead of fighting them.
If you’re doing this alone at home, just know it’ll get easier the longer you do it. And you might even come up with your own variation of these methods as you go.
If you’re in Jacksonville, FL, and want help learning how to style and care for your curls – let’s do it! I have a Signature Curl Experience where we sit down and do just that. During your appointment, we’ll walk through your routine, your goals, and your lifestyle to figure out the best way to style your curls so you can have great hair all week long.
A curly hair stylist in Jacksonville, Florida
I offer curl-by-curl haircuts designed to enhance your natural texture, simplify your routine, and give you the confidence to rock your curls every single day. No generic trims. No pressure to straighten. Just the shape, care, and education you need to keep your curls thriving long after you leave my chair.
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Hey, I’m Naya!
