How to Build the Perfect Curly Hair Routine Without Overloading on Products

I used to think having curly hair meant waking up every day to a surprise—some days defined curls, other days a frizzy mess. Turns out, the difference wasn’t luck but having a solid curly hair routine. Finding the right balance of moisture, hold, and technique changed everything. If you’re tired of spending hours styling your hair only to end up with dry, crunchy curls or limp waves, here’s exactly what works for me.

What’s Your Curl Type?

Before even getting into the products and steps, the key to a good curly hair routine is knowing your hair’s porosity, density, and texture. Hair type labels (2C, 3A, 3B, etc.) don’t really matter as much as marketers want you to think. What actually matters is:

Porosity (how your hair absorbs and retains moisture): If your hair repels water and takes forever to dry, it’s likely low-porosity, meaning product buildup happens easily, and lightweight hydration is key. If it soaks up moisture fast but dries out just as quickly, you’re dealing with high-porosity hair, which benefits from richer, sealing ingredients. Medium-porosity hair sits somewhere in the middle, holding moisture relatively well without much extra effort.

Density (how much hair you actually have, not how thick each strand is): Fine, low-density hair gets weighed down by heavy products, while thick, high-density curls can handle creams and butters without losing volume. Knowing this helps avoid the frustration of products making your curls limp or frizzy.

Scalp health: If your scalp gets oily quickly, you’ll need regular cleansing with a gentle but effective shampoo. A dry scalp, on the other hand, benefits from hydration and oils to prevent irritation and flakes.

My hair is fine but dense (lots of strands, but each one is lightweight), with low- to medium-porosity. That means my routine is built around keeping my curls light, bouncy, and defined without too much buildup.

My Curly Hair Routine

I wash my hair once or twice a week, depending on how much product builds up. Here’s what works:

Step 1: Pre-Shampoo Treatment

If I’ve been using a lot of gel or mousse, I start with a pre-shampoo treatment. A little lightweight oil (like argan or jojoba) on dry hair before washing helps prevent moisture loss. I apply it mainly to my ends and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.

Step 2: Shampooing the Right Way

Curly hair doesn’t need to be shampooed daily, but when I do wash it, I use a sulfate-free shampoo. If I’ve been sweating a lot or my scalp feels greasy, I go in with a clarifying shampoo first to get rid of buildup.

The trick is to focus shampoo on the scalp, massaging gently for at least two minutes. Scrubbing aggressively causes tangling, so I use small circular motions and let the suds rinse through my curls instead of rubbing the length.

Step 3: Conditioner & Detangling

I don’t just slap on conditioner and rinse it out—I let it do its job. A good conditioner sits in my hair for at least five minutes before I start detangling with a wide-tooth comb or a wet brush. Only start detangling from the ends upward to avoid breakage.

If my curls feel extra dry, I mix in a deep conditioner. This is especially important if I’ve clarified my hair, as those shampoos strip away more than just buildup.

Step 4: Leave-In Conditioner

While my hair is still soaking wet, I apply a lightweight leave-in conditioner. This keeps my curls moisturized without weighing them down.

Step 5: Mousse for Volume

If I want volume at the roots, I scrunch in a volumizing mousse while my head is flipped upside down. Mousse helps add definition without the heaviness of a curl cream.

Step 6: Gel for Hold

To lock everything in place, I use a medium-hold gel. Instead of raking it through, I use the “prayer hands” method—gliding it over my hair to avoid breaking up my curl clumps.

Step 7: Scrunch and Plop

Once all my products are in, I scrunch my curls upward to encourage definition. If I have time, I wrap my hair in a cotton T-shirt or microfiber towel for 15 minutes to soak up excess water without creating frizz.

Drying: Air-Dry vs. Diffusing

Air-Drying

On days when I’m not in a rush, I let my hair air dry. I avoid touching it as much as possible until it’s completely dry.

Diffusing for More Volume

If I want extra volume, I use a diffuser on medium heat and low speed. The key is to start by hovering the diffuser around my hair before cupping the curls. This helps set the gel cast before disturbing the curl pattern.

Once my hair is 100% dry, I scrunch out the crunch with a few drops of lightweight oil. This step is what gives curls that soft, touchable look without frizz.

Maintaining Curls Between Washes

Curly hair routines don’t end on wash day. To keep my curls looking fresh:

• Sleeping with a silk bonnet or satin pillowcase prevents friction that causes frizz
• Refreshing with water and leave-in spray revives curls when they start looking flat
• Avoiding too much product buildup by using lightweight stylers keeps my hair from feeling greasy before wash day

A solid curly hair routine is about finding what works for your unique hair. Over time, I’ve realized that simplicity is key. Instead of layering on a million products, using the right ones in the right order makes all the difference. If your curls aren’t cooperating, it’s usually because they’re missing moisture, definition, or hold. Once you get the balance right, styling becomes effortless.