I think one of the main reasons some of us love the Curly Girl / Hair Method is our ability to get multiple days out of one wash day. Most of us want as many days as possible with our hair looking great with minimal effort, right?
Refreshing Basics
Before I get into products, let’s review some of the basics about refreshing. You can read even more tips on refreshing your curls in my blog, Refreshing Your Hair: Day 2 and Beyond.
1. Wash your hair as often as you want and never ignore an itchy scalp. If your hair is still good but your scalp isn’t, the best decision is to go ahead and cleanse/shampoo. There are no prizes for going as long as possible between washes.
2. If you have fine hair that is low density, you are going to have to cleanse and or fully wet your hair more often than those of us with medium/coarse and medium/high density. I can’t say what that exact number of days will be for you. We are all different but in general day 1 or 2 hair won’t look like day 3 or 4 and so on. Go with what you can live with and always remember tip #1!
3. Water is moisture. Water may be a big or a little part of your refresh routine. My go-to refresh tool is the Continuous Spray Bottle. It delivers a fine mist - and quite a bit of it - with just one press on the trigger. Remember to get under and in your hair by leaning in all directions and lifting sections. The only downside of water is it can leave mineral deposits (in the bottle and on your hair) if you have hard water. In those circumstances you can always fill your bottle with distilled water and use something like the Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Treatment pack to help with mineral build up on your hair.
Product Recommendations for Great Day 2+ Hair
One of the main reasons we recommend using a refresh spray instead of just using water is that the conditioning ingredients in these sprays often help reduce frizz and make hair look and feel smoother. They can also add softness, a little bit of hold, and can help curls "bounce back" - and stay that way - on day 2+ better than water alone.
At Curl Warehouse we have a really good selection of different refresh sprays. Depending on what you need, this list should help you narrow down which one to grab next time you're shopping with us. Need additional help? Email us at products@curlwarehouse.com for personalized product recommendations based on your unique curls.
Curlsmith Moisture Memory Reactivator
This is a lightweight spray that will refresh and revitalize second day + curls and waves. It is protein-free and blends instantly with your hair strands to spring it all back to life, reactivating any product you applied on wash day. For very fine hair this can also be used as leave-in.
Boucleme Root Refresh
This product is designed to sooth and deodorize your scalp and can be an alternative to dry shampoo if your scalp is not oily. Suitable for all hair types - even sensitive scalps - and contains aloe, flower water and natural oils. It smells gorgeous!
Curl Keeper Refresh
This spray has Himalayan salt crystals and a bit of protein so it will give you a minor cast after application. This can be scrunched out and will leave you with lots of volume.
Pretty Curly Girl Protein Rose Water Refresh Spray
This has a decent amount of wheat protein so it is not a good choice if you are sensitive or allergic to this ingredient. It can be used for a refresh with smoothing hold, or just add it to your wash day for an extra boost of protein. Rose water is also great for your scalp.
Flora & Curl Soothe Me Coconut Mint Scalp Refresh Mist
This has refreshing botanicals and herbs to sooth and purify your scalp and hair. Though this can be used on your hair as well as your scalp, it is less of a styling product and more of a soothing, cooling scalp spray if you're getting itchy or irritated between washes and don't have a chance to wash your hair (remember tip #1!).
Uncle Funky’s Daughter Defunk Hair Refresher Tonic
This will neutralize odour, encourage growth, and sooth your scalp. Great for after the gym and has protein to encourage your curls to spring back to life.
Camille Rose Honey Dew Liquid Moisture Refresher
This has real honey and rice water to soften and smooth hair. It will help moisturize and detangle your waves and curls.
Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Refresher Spray
This spray smells amazing and is a lightweight one infused with essential oils and silk protein.
Ouidad Botanical Boost Curl Energizing & Refreshing Spray
This is great to really lift up your curls with protein and extracts. It doesn’t add extra weight and can also protect your hair from UV and thermal styling. This is Ouidad's most popular refresh product.
Flora & Curl Hydrate Me Jasmine Oasis Floral Hydration Hair Mist
This revitalizes with the moisture from rose water, aloe vera and aromatic flower oils. It is protein free.
Ouidad Curl Shaper Bounce Back Reactivating Mist
This product is a combination refresh and leave in that especially great for dry hair.
Camille Rose Lavender Shaken Hair Spritzer
This contains real lavender oil and can condition and detangle wet or dry hair.
Witch I Love Your Hair Hair Magic
This spray is multi use for hair or scalp anytime! It has organic essential oils and crystal chips so shake before use. No protein, glycerin, aloe, coconut, gluten wheat or dairy here, so it is the best option for people with these allergies.
Uncle Funky’s Thirsty Curls Curl Revitalizer
This lightweight mist will condition and hydrate your hair. No protein.
Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Restore + Revive Bi-Phase Spray
This has silicones so it is not Curly Girl / Hair Method friendly, but if you really need UV/heat/color fade protection this is your spray!
Jessicurl Awe Inspiraling Spray
Jessicurl's refresh spray will revive and reactivate your existing product, bringing waves and curls back to life without weight. Protein free. Spray this into your hands to control the amount and scrunch it in. It is very concentrated so a little goes a long way.
Hair Dance Texturizing Wave Spray
This will add volume and body as it is a salt spray (think beachy, summery waves). A cast may form that can be scrunched out.
Innersense I Create Waves Salt Spray
This will create, refresh, and hold your waves and curls without being too heavy. Go easy with this product. All of Innersense's products are extremely concentrated and this can be a bit of a learning curve.
Curls Aloe & Blueberry Juice Curl Moisturizer
This will refresh and add shine to your hair. For a lighter application spray it into your hands first. Has protein for hold and smoothness. It has a candy-like scent.
Don't forget to check out my other blog about refreshing, Refreshing Your Hair: Day 2 and Beyond, for more tips and suggestions for getting the best out of your curls after wash day.
