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How to Refresh Curls Between Washes

Curls usually look their best on wash day. By day two or three they can be flat on one side, frizzy on top and stretched out at the ends. Washing every day dries curls out, so the answer is a quick refresh that brings back shape and definition in a few minutes.

Quick answer: To refresh curls between washes, lightly dampen your hair with water from a spray bottle, smooth a small amount of curl cream over the curls, scrunch upwards, re-twist any loose curls around your finger, and let them dry without touching. Protect curls overnight with a loose high ponytail or a silk or satin pillowcase.

What You Need

  • A spray bottle with clean water
  • A curl cream, such as 69 Pro Active Soufflé Hair Cream
  • A light serum for frizzy ends (optional)
  • A diffuser (optional)
  • A microfibre towel or cotton T-shirt

How to Refresh Curls: Step by Step

Step 1: Shake out the curls

Flip your head over and gently shake the roots with your fingertips to loosen flat areas. Do not brush.

Step 2: Dampen, do not soak

Mist each section with water until damp. Curls reform when the hair is damp, but soaking them takes longer to dry and can leave them limp.

Step 3: Add a little curl cream

Warm a pea-sized amount of 69 Pro Active Soufflé Hair Cream between your palms and glide it over the surface of the curls, then scrunch upwards towards the roots. The soufflé is designed for curl definition without weighing hair down, which matters on second-day hair that already has some product in it.

Step 4: Fix individual curls

Wrap any loose or frizzy curls around your finger and let them drop. Focus on the curls around your face and on top, which are seen most.

Step 5: Smooth frizz

If the ends look dry or frizzy, rub one drop of serum between your palms and press it lightly onto the ends. 700 Keratin & Kale Hair Serum is lightweight and helps smooth frizz.

Step 6: Dry without touching

Let curls air-dry or use a diffuser on low heat and low speed, cupping curls upwards. Do not touch them until they are fully dry.

Quick Fixes

Problem Fix
Flat roots Shake out upside down; diffuse the roots for a minute; add a pinch of volume powder on dry roots
Frizzy top layer Mist, a little curl cream, scrunch, dry without touching
Stretched or limp ends Mist, twist around a finger, let dry
Greasy roots It is a wash day; refreshing will not fix oily roots
Dry, crunchy curls Scrunch out the hold with a drop of serum on your palms

Protect Curls Overnight

  • Pineapple: gather curls loosely on the very top of your head with a soft scrunchie.
  • Silk or satin: sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase or wear a bonnet to reduce friction and frizz.
  • Loose braid: for longer, wavy hair, a loose braid keeps waves intact.

How Long Can You Go Between Washes?

Most people with curls wash two or three times a week. With good overnight protection and a quick refresh, curls can usually look good for two to three days. If your scalp becomes oily or itchy, wash; refreshing is for the lengths, not the scalp.

Refresh Mistakes

  • Brushing dry curls
  • Soaking hair completely, which takes ages to dry and can drop curls
  • Adding a lot of product every day, which builds up and weighs curls down
  • Touching curls while they dry

If curls start feeling heavy or dull after several refreshes, wash and use a weekly reset such as the 911 ACV Foaming Hair Rinse, then mask with the 69 Pro Active Hair Mask.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I refresh curls with just water?

Water alone can reshape waves and loose curls, but it often brings back frizz. A small amount of curl cream helps curls hold their shape as they dry.

How do I refresh curls in the morning quickly?

Take down your pineapple, shake the roots, mist only the frizzy or flat areas, scrunch in a little cream and let dry. It takes about five minutes.

Why do my curls go flat on day two?

Sleeping on them, humidity and the weight of product all stretch curls. Overnight protection and a light refresh help.

Is a refresh good for wavy hair too?

Yes. Use even less product so waves are not weighed down. Read Curly vs Wavy Hair.

Find the Right Biotop Professional Routine

Define and refresh with the 69 Pro-Active curly range.

Related Guides

Shop: 69 Pro Active Soufflé Cream · 69 Pro Active Hair Mask · 700 Keratin & Kale Hair Serum

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