How to Style Curly Hair Without Washing

Awwwwwwwwww!!!

It’s day three of no-washing for your hair, and your curls are not popping like they’re supposed to. What on earth are you supposed to make your curls look nice before you go to work today?

You don’t want to walk into the office with your curls like dried-up spaghetti noodles?

Every curly girl has this issue when trying to style their hair and skipping wash day. On your no-wash days, you’ll need to learn some tricks on how to style your curly hair to avoid walking into the office with wild hair.

Continue reading to learn everything you need to know on how to style curly hair without washing.

Have All of the Right Hair Tools With You

Before you start styling your hair, you need to have all the right tools to help bring your curls back to life. Here are some tools you should have:

• Wide-tooth comb
• A Mist water hair spray
• Leave-in conditioner
• Hair gel
• Hair oil
• Microfiber Towel or hairdryer with a diffuser

There is still a way to refresh your curls without any of these tools, so don’t worry if you don’t have them. It’s not the best way to refresh your hair, but it helps when you have none of these tools on hand.

Here is what you do: run your hands underwater to get your fingers wet. Hopefully, you have a regular conditioner with you for this step.

Now rub a small amount of conditioner on your hair. Start from your ends and work your way to your roots. Once done, wait for your hair to air dry for the finished look.

Oh yeah, make sure the conditioner has no alcohol or other harmful chemicals. The conditioner must be alcohol and paraben-free!

I only do this when I have no other choice, as it is not the healthiest way to style your hair. Usually, after styling my hair this way, the next day is my wash day.

I hate how my hair feels sticky after a while when styling it with a regular conditioner. But, it helps when you have no other choice.

How to Style Curly Hair Without Washing Based on Hair Type

Different curly hair types need specific methods for refreshing them. Also, each curl type requires various hair products.

There are hundreds of curly hair products on the market, so finding the right one may be a trial-and-error. Once you find the right products, your curls will look fresh on days three, four, and five.

Curly Hair Type 2 A, B, and C

Type two curly hair is the curls that are loose and wavy. It lies flat on the top of the head and forms a precise S pattern at the ends. Type 2A curls are the straightest, with a small S pattern at the root of the hair.

Type 2B curls are more defined in the middle of the hair, and the top of the hair lays flat. The S shape of Type 2C curls is more defined, and the curl shape begins at the roots of the hair. It is also thicker and more prone to frizz than the other hair types in this category.

Here’s How You Can Refresh Your Type 2 Curls:

This curly hair tip comes from Swavy Curly Courtney

First, you need this hair product: Alikay Naturals Lemongrass Leave-in Conditioner. Why this hair product, and not a refresher spray, you ask. This product has ingredients that will revitalize your curls.

The leave-in conditioner contains aloe vera leaf juice and other natural moisturizing minerals. But, the most essential ingredient is silk amino acids. It is an itty bitty protein that helps make your curls shiny and bouncy. Also, it smells wonderful!

Now, don’t wet your hair just yet. You want to add this product to your hair while it is still dry. Instead, spray the product on your hands and add it to your hair.

After that, grab a mist water spray bottle and hair gel, preferably TreLuxe Hi! Definition. Grab a small amount of gel and spray water into your hands. Mix it around a bit and start adding it to your ends and work your way to your roots.

Do a few scrunchies here and there to allow the product to fully work through. Then you’re done!

The method is super quick to do when you’re running short on time. It doesn’t necessarily make your curls look like day one, but it’s a nice way to refresh your curls for days two through four. If you need extra hold for your curls, then use a bit more hair gel.

Curly Hair Type 3 A, B, and C

Once you get into the type 3 category, curls are often more defined, but looser than type 4. These curls range from bouncy to springy corkscrew shapes. Type 3 curls have a sheen, but are often more prone to frizziness, especially in humid hot weather.

3 A-type curls are large shiny loose curls that still have an S pattern shaped to them. ‌Curls of Type 3B have the appearance of round, springy rings with a circumference like ‌a‌ ‌sharpie‌ ‌marker. It is a must curly girls with this hair type have gels with the ingredient humectants. This helps add more moisture, since the hair texture can get dry easily.

As for type 3C, the appearance of the curls is tight corkscrews ranging in circumference from a straw to a pencil. The hair strands are densely packed together, which gives its natural volume. Type 3 C is more prone to frizziness.

How to Refresh Type 3 Curls

This curly hair tip comes from BiancaReneeToday

Since type 3 curls can easily become dry and frizzy without notice, you need to use a gel for your base product. You can use any kind of gel that works best for your hair. But, if you want a definite crunch and extra hold, consider using Curly Hair Solutions.

Now, grab your mist water spray bottle and wet your hair all over. Next, add in the hair gel and run it through your hair starting from the ends and working your way to the top.

Once done, add in a leave-in conditioner and hair gel to help contain the frizz more. The last step is to use a blow dryer with a diffuser to dry your hair.

Curly Hair Type 4 A, B, and C

Type 4 curls are known as kinky or afro-textured hair. It is naturally very dry and spongy in texture. There is a tight zigzag curl pattern in the hair starting at the root. This type of curly hair is prone to shrinkage when dry.

The coils of type 4A curls have a circumference the size of a crochet needle, with dense springy coils. Type 4B hair strands are densely packed, and the curls have sharp angles, creating a letter Z.

Those belonging to category 4C have the same texture as type 4B. Their coiled strands are also more fragile, and the pattern is often difficult to see with the naked eye.

How to Refresh Type 4 Curls

This curly hair tip comes from Millennial Black Girl

Since this hair type is prone to dryness and shrinkage, it’s important to have gel, leave-in conditioner, and hair oil to help style your hair. Start by wetting your hair and adding the leave-in conditioner first.

Next, move on to the hair gel and apply it to your hair. The finishing touch would be to add oils to your hair to help with dryness. If you need a good hair gel, leave-in conditioner, and hair oil, try using these products: Aunt Jackies Quench, Shea Moisture Make it Last Revival Oil, and Kinky Curly Gel.

Style Your Hair in a Cute Curly Updo and Accessories

If you’re in a rush and don’t want to wear your hair down, consider putting it up in a high ponytail and adding accessories. You can still show your curls and it’s quick and easy to do.

Type 2 hair curls can consider wearing a low or side ponytail. If you prefer not to be bothered with your hair for a few days, do a protective hairstyle, such as braids or twists.

Use These Hair Tips to Style Your Hair on No Wash Days

With these styling tips, there’s no need to leave the house with your curls looking unkempt. No one wants to wash their hair every day to bring life back into their curls. Instead, use these tips to keep your curls looking fresh for days three, four, and five.

Or at least until your next wash day. Do you need more curly hair tips? Check out the blog to learn more on how to protect and care for your curls.