Timing matters as much as product choice. Wash your hair a day or two before the event to give curls time to settle into their natural shape. Freshly washed curls can be softer and less defined, while day-old curls may hold their shape better. Allow enough time for drying, too. Depending on length and density, curls can take two to four hours to air-dry, so avoid rushing the process.
Apply three layers of products while your hair is soaking wet:
Leave-in conditioner: Helps replenish moisture and keep curls soft.
Curl cream: Enhances definition and helps minimise frizz, allowing curls to retain their natural texture.
Gel: Provides hold and forms a cast around the curls, helping preserve definition in humid conditions.
Gently scrunch upwards and let your hair air-dry without touching it. Once fully dry, curls may feel stiff. This is the gel cast, which helps maintain their shape. Scrunch a few drops of hair oil between your palms and gently work through the curls to break the cast, leaving them soft and defined.