How to Refresh Curls and Waves Between Washes
May 23, 2022
If you have curly or wavy hair, chances are you don’t wash your hair every day. While this is great for maintaining your hair’s moisture (and preventing color from fading if your hair is dyed), you might find your curls and waves falling a little flat in between wash days. To keep your hair looking bouncy and defined, we gathered some tips on how to refresh curls in the morning.
Try Plopping or Diffusing
Maintaining defined curls and waves starts with your first wash day. If you want to use heat, we recommend using a diffuser — a blow-dryer attachment that dries your hair without disturbing its cuticle and causing frizz.
For a heat-free alternative, try “plopping” your hair. After washing and applying product to your hair, simply wrap it in a T-shirt or towel until it is completely dry — possibly overnight. This helps hold the shape of your curls and waves.
Use a Refreshing Product
On day two or three of unwashed curls, you might start to lose volume and definition. Reach for a product like L'Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Refresh and Reshape Leave-in Spray, which will help resculpt your curls and waves. It combines hyaluronic acid and castor oil for a boost of moisture.
If you’re in a pinch, you can also take a spray bottle and lightly mist your hair with water. This will help reactivate the products you used in your hair on wash day and prep it for a quick re-styling with your fingers.
Sleep on Silk
Whether you prefer to wear a silk bonnet to bed or sleep on a silk pillowcase, the material is key for minimizing frizz on curly and wavy hair.
Opt for a Co-Wash
Instead of shampooing, try using a co-wash once a week to help moisturize your hair. For curly and coily hair, we recommend the Matrix A Curl Can Dream Co-Wash, a sulfate-free product that rehydrates with nourishing manuka honey. For any hair type from wavy to coily, try the Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Shea Hydrating Co-Wash. The vegan, cruelty-free formula helps promote a consistent curl pattern and softens the hair.
Photographer: Chaunte Vaughn, Art Director: Hannah Packer, Associate Creative Producer: Becca Solovay, Content Director: Victoria Moorhouse, Wardrobe Stylist: Alexis Badiyi, Makeup Artist: Allie Smith, Hair Stylist: Andrew Chen, Digi Tech: Paul Yem, Photo Assistant: Matt Licari, Model: Tiffany Nika Leyba
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