The steps
- Keep it wet
- Leave-in, then gel
- Dry without touching
- Cleanse and condition as usual, and detangle with conditioner in.
- Rinse, and keep your hair as wet as your products ask: some gels want it soaking wet, some leave-ins and foams want it damp. Use a spray bottle if sections start to dry.
- In sections, apply leave-in, then a gel; for coils, smooth the gel down each small section.
- Rake or brush the products through so every strand is coated, then let curls clump.
- Blot gently with a T-shirt; don’t rub.
- Air-dry or diffuse on low without touching until fully dry, roots included.
- Scrunch out the gel cast, and lift the roots gently with your fingers or a pick.
When it goes wrong
Frizz usually means the hair wasn’t wet enough or was touched while drying. White flakes usually mean too much gel or a leave-in and gel that don’t mix well; use less, or apply the gel while hair is wetter. Poor hold means too little gel or a softer one.
On coily hair
Coils shrink most in a wash-and-go, which is the look. Smaller sections and more gel give more definition; a stretched style such as a twist-out shows more length.
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