Curly hair tips and products
Did you miss any tips we sent in the newsletter? Below you'll find an overview of all the curl tips you can read at your convenience. We hope it helps you understand your curls even better!
Do your curls fall out quickly or lack shape? Then this is your sign.
Sometimes your curls suddenly feel like they've forgotten their shape. They lose definition, fall out more quickly, and your gel seems to be doing "nothing" anymore. Chances are your hair is due for a reset wash .
When is a reset a good idea?
Do you recognize this?
- your curls no longer hold their shape (they quickly fall open)
- your hair feels heavy , dull or a bit "coated"
- you have less definition despite the same routine
- your scalp doesn't really feel fresh / becomes greasy faster
Why this happens: Even CG-approved products can develop a film over time (think of hold ingredients, oils/butters, pollution, or hard water). This causes styling to adhere less well and your curls to collapse more quickly.
How to Do a Reset (Without Annoying Your Hair)
- Make your hair soaking wet
- Shampoo mainly on your scalp (lengths: only the foam)
- Then: conditioner with slip + style as usual (tip: gel for hold )
Guideline: often 1x every 6–12 weeks works best, or as soon as you recognize the signals.
Buying sulfate shampoo? Pay attention to this.
Look in the ingredients list (INCI) for:
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) (effective, often slightly milder)
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) (usually stronger)
Example (budget): Kruidvat Daily Mild Shampoo contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) .
(Always check the current INCI; formulas may change.)
Common mistake (sin!)
After your reset, immediately apply lots of layers again (leave-in + cream + oil + 2 stylers) → then you'll be more likely to get buildup again. It's better to start simple: 1 treatment + gel .
- Want to "reset" more often, but with a CG-safe and gentle approach? Our Smart Clean Shampoo is designed to wash away product residue and buildup without drying out your curls.
Too little = frizz. Too much = limp curls. This is your simple guideline.
If your curls are perfect one moment and then fall out the next, it's often not "your curl"... but the amount of product you use. And that amount depends primarily on density (how much hair you have) and hair thickness (fine vs. thick).
Why this works
More hair = more surface area = you need more to distribute everything evenly.
Fine or little hair = faster “too much” = curls become heavy and lose shape.
The simple dosing rule (per section)
Work in 4–6 sections, starting with each product layer (e.g. your styler):
- Low density/fine hair: pea → almond
- Medium density: almond → walnut
- High density / lots of hair: walnut → 2 walnuts
Quick check after drying:
- Heavy/sticky/limp: next time a little less.
- Dry/frizz/no definition: a little more or especially… more water during application .
Mini tip for better distribution right away
Apply your product to wet/damp hair , adding a little water in between. This way, it will "slip" better, and you'll often need less.
Common mistake
Just smear it all on at once and hope it gets everywhere.
Result: some parts overloaded, other parts dry.
Better: sections + small portions → more even, nicer, and less product consumption.
- Want to simplify dosing with a single product that combines care and styling? Our All-in-One Styling Cream is a leave-in and styling cream in one; apply to wet/damp hair.
More slip, less frizz and easier detangling, with one simple adjustment.
If your conditioner sometimes feels like it's "doing nothing," chances are your hair isn't wet enough. This is one of those mini-tweaks with a huge impact: water is your conditioner's best helper .
Why this works
Conditioner distributes and glides best when your hair is soaked
Too little water = more friction, more pulling, more frizz, and your curls won't bunch as nicely.
How to do it (in 60 seconds)
- Apply conditioner to soaking wet hair (not to half-dried hair)
- Feels rough? Add water and squeeze it through your hair.
- Gently detangle from ends to roots (fingers or comb)
- Rinse as you like (completely or leave on a little)
You're in the right place if:
- your hands slide easily through your hair
- your curls are already starting to clump (beautiful bundles)
- suddenly untangling is much less work
Common mistake
I keep using more and more conditioner because it's sticking...when I really just needed more water . The result: faster buildup, with no added effect.
- Looking for a product with plenty of hold that can also be used as a mask/leave-in? Our All-in-One Treatment can be used as a conditioner, mask, or leave-in conditioner.
Less breakage, less frizz, by detangling at the right time.
Detangling doesn't have to be a strength training exercise. The biggest gains aren't in the brush or comb, but in when you do it.
Why this works
Curly hair is most vulnerable when you pull it apart when dry or semi-dry. This overstretchs the hair fiber, leading to breakage and roughening the outer layer, increasing frizz .
This is how you detangle in a curl-friendly way
- Detangle in the shower , on soaking wet hair
- Use conditioner for slip (smoothness)
- Work in 2–4 sections
- Start at the points and work your way up
- Use your fingers, a detangler brush, or a comb, whatever works best for you.
Pro tip: Feeling resistance? Stop for a moment, add water, add a little extra conditioner, and then continue.
Common mistake
Detangle "quickly" when your hair is already drying (or just before styling, when it's almost dry). That's precisely when you create the most frizz and breakage.
- Do you want extra slip so you have to pull less?
Use our All-in-One Treatment as a conditioner (and leave it in for 1–2 minutes before detangling).
Does your hair feel rough or dull even though your routine is working properly? This could be the cause.
Sometimes it's not your technique or products, but... your shower. In areas with hard water, there are more minerals (like calcium/magnesium) in the water. These can stick to your hair and make your curls fall less smoothly.
How do you recognize hard water hair?
- your hair feels rough or coarse more quickly after washing
- your curls become dull and have difficulty retaining definition
- you get build-up faster (as if there is a layer on top)
- products seem to “do less” than before
Why this happens: Minerals and product residue can combine to form a film. This makes conditioner glide less smoothly, and styling products (like gel) sometimes adhere less well.
What can you do about it (simple)?
- Schedule a mineral reset (chelating/clarifying) every now and then
- Guideline: 1× every 3–6 weeks (or as soon as you notice the above signals)
- Style on very wet hair after your reset (then it will "take" better again)
- Optional: Consider a shower filter if you notice it keeps coming back
Common mistake
I keep adding more oil/cream because my hair feels rough. This masks it for a while, but it can actually accelerate the buildup.
- Looking for a CG-safe shampoo that helps with buildup and hard water issues? Our Smart Clean Shampoo is designed for this and contains a chelator (useful for mineral buildup).
Forget the water glass test, look at what your hair really does.
Porosity sounds complicated, but it's actually simple: how easily does your hair absorb water, and how well does it retain it?
Once you understand this, product choices suddenly become much more logical.
Why the water glass test often leads you astray
Whether a hair floats or sinks in water doesn't tell you much (air, product residue, and how clean your hair is all influence this). It's better to look at real-life behavior .
How to recognize your porosity (without hocus pocus)
Lower porosity (slowly absorbed / long retention):
- hair slowly gets really wet in the shower
- water first "beads" a little on the hair
- dries relatively slowly
- products can stay on the hair faster
Higher porosity (absorbs quickly / loses quickly):
- hair gets wet super fast and dries quickly too
- feels dry/rough faster, especially in the lengths, fluffs up faster (especially with humidity/changes in weather)
- often benefits more from "closing" (sealing) and hold
(Many people are somewhere in the middle, by the way, and that's completely normal.)
What do you do with it?
- Lower porosity: work with light layers , not too much oil/butter,
and distribute on wet hair. - Higher porosity: focus on care + sealing so that moisture stays in for longer
stays (think: good hold + sealing).
Common mistake
Think of porosity as a "label" and immediately change everything. It's better to choose one adjustment and see: more shape? Less frizz? Better feel?
- Do you often experience high-porosity/"drying out too quickly" hair? Use Super Sealing Oil on wet hair to actively seal in moisture. You can use it as a final step or between your leave-in/styling cream and gel.
If it fluffs before it dries, you can fix it straight away.
Wet frizz = frizz you see even when your hair is still wet. And that's actually good news: you can often fix it right away while styling.
Why Wet Frizz Happens
Usually it is one (or a combination) of these three:
- too little water during styling → product does not distribute and curls
don't clump - too much friction (towel, too much fiddling) → the outer layer becomes rough
- too little hold or hold that does not adhere well → fluff is given free rein
How to tackle wet frizz (simple step-by-step plan)
- Get your hair soaking wet again (yes really, water is your best styling tool)
- Apply your product with smooth hands (prayer hands) and then squeeze
(scrunch) - Work in sections so that each piece of product gets
- Finish with a gel for hold
- Then: hands off until it is dry
Quick check: are you comfortable?
If you see nice, smooth strands without any “floating hairs” after using your gel, you are usually safe.
Common mistake
Trying to tame wet frizz with extra cream/oil when your hair isn't wet enough. You're piling on product, but the problem (not enough water/hold) remains.
- For wet frizz, hold is your best friend. Our Styling Gel provides strong hold and helps keep your curls intact, ideal as the last step after your leave-in/cream.
Are your curls falling out quickly? This quick check will help you figure out what you need.
Limp curls usually don't mean your curls are gone, but rather that your hair is either overloaded or needs some extra body (structure/protein). This quick fix often shows you immediately which way things are going.
Step 1:
Check if it is overload/build-up
Do you recognize this?
- your hair feels soft but heavy
- curls fall out quickly, even with styling
- it feels a bit coated or dull
Then do the 1-wash reset test:
- Clean (if build-up: a reset/clarify)
- Use a light conditioner (short)
- Style simple: gel, otherwise as few layers as possible
Do your curls become bouncier immediately? Then it was probably overload/buildup.
Step 2: Or does your hair lack structure?
Do you recognize this?
- your hair feels too soft/too stretchy
- your curl "sags" without really feeling heavy
- you miss bounce, especially with damaged hair (coloring/heat)
Then a little bit of protein can help.
How to use protein smart (without overload):
- start with 1–2 drops per section
- mix into your mask/leave-in or styler
- Evaluate after 1–2 washes: more resilience = great; stiff/crispy = too much → pause
Common mistake
Try everything at once: reset + extra oil + extra cream + protein + more gel. Then you won't know what works.
Choose one route and test.
- For a fresh start on build-up: Smart Clean Shampoo
- For shape that lasts: Styling Gel
- For extra structure (if your hair is too stretchy): Protein Drops (start with 1–2
drops)
Protein isn't a must. It's a tool (and the right amount is key).
Protein is often presented as "good" or "bad," but it doesn't work that way. Think of it as a tool you use when your child asks for it, and then gradually reduce it.
When does your hair often benefit from protein?
Protein can help if your hair:
- feels weak and has little resilience
- stretches faster and does not bounce back well
- breaks more quickly or looks lifeless (especially when damaged by coloring/heat)
Why: Protein can temporarily give your hair more body and structure, which helps curls keep their shape better.
When would you rather have no (or less) protein?
If your hair:
- feels stiff , rough or "crunchy"
- gets tangled faster and causes more breakage
- falls less smoothly after protein products
Then it may be that your hair now mainly needs more softening/moisture .
How to use protein wisely (without overload)
- Think of it as a treatment : once every 2–4 weeks is enough for many people.
enough - Start small: 1-2 drops is better than a lot at once
- Evaluate after 1-2 washes: more bounce? Great. Stiffer? Switch back.
Common mistake
Stacking protein in multiple products at once (mask + leave-in + protein styler) can quickly make your hair too stiff.
- Want to precisely dose your protein? Our Protein Drops can be mixed into your mask/leave-in (or even gel) so you can build up your intake without immediately changing your entire routine.
Definition comes from bundles + water + technology, then product.
If you want definition, "more product" often only helps briefly. What really makes the difference is letting curls bundle into beautiful clumps . Only then can your gel/hold do its work.
Why this works
Curls that dry in bunches have:
- fewer loose hairs → less frizz
- more structure → nicer pattern
- better basis for hold → lasts longer
How to make clumps (easy step-by-step plan)
- Style on ( soaked) hair (add water if it feels stiff)
- Spread your product with smooth hands (prayer hands)
- Then use rake + shake : comb through a section with your fingers and shake lightly — you'll see bunches emerge
- Scrunch to activate your curl pattern
- Finish with gel to “secure” the bundles
Quick check
Do you already see smooth strands without wet frizz after applying it? Then you're good to go.
Common mistake
Styling on hair that's already half dry. This won't create beautiful curls, and you'll often compensate with extra product, resulting in faster buildup and less definition.
- For definition that lasts, hold is key. Use our Styling Gel as the final step to lock in your clumps and build a cast (don't break it until your hair is 100% dry).
Gel isn't about "hard hair," it's about curls holding their shape.
Many people worry that gel makes their hair hard. True... a little. And that's precisely the point: that "hardness" (the cast ) protects your curls as they dry, so you get less frizz and more definition .
Why gel works so well
Gel forms a thin layer around your curls. That layer:
- keeps your clumps together
- prevents your hair from "fanning out" while drying
- helps your curls stay in shape longer (even when humid)
How to use gel correctly
- Apply gel to ( soaked) wet hair (water = better distribution)
- Work in sections and divide with “prayer hands”
- Scrunch to activate your curl pattern
- Let your hair dry and: hands off
- Only when your hair is 100% dry : Scrunch out the cast (scrunch out the crunch)
Quick check
- Does your hair still feel hard after drying? A good sign: let it dry completely first, then soften it.
- If it gets frizzy before it dries, you often need more water or more gel .
Common mistake
Squeezing the cast out too early (or touching your hair in between) will break the protective layer and cause frizz.
- Our Styling Gel is formulated for strong hold and definition, ideal as the final step to lock in your curls.
If your curls become heavy or limp, “less” is often the solution.
It sounds counterintuitive, but with curls, the more product layers you use, the greater the chance of buildup and sagging . This is especially true if your hair is fine, or if you tend to feel "overloaded."
Why fewer layers can work better
Each additional layer (leave-in + cream + oil + another styler…)
gives:
- more weight → curls fall out faster
- more chance of build-up → products adhere less well
- less air → less volume and resilience
The simplest routine that works for many curls
Try this for one wash day:
- Care: choose either a leave-in or a cream (not both)
- Hold: close with gel
Done. And look what your curls do: you often see more right away
resilience and definition.
When do you know you're using too many layers?
- your curls feel soft but limp
- your hair becomes dull or "coated" faster
- you have to use more and more product for the same result
Common mistake
If curls are sagging: add even more cream or oil. This feels soft for a while, but often makes them heavier, making the problem worse.
- Want to truly simplify your routine? Use our All-in-One Styling Cream as a one-step conditioner and styler, and finish with a small amount of Styling Gel (if you want extra hold).