Do you prefer strong hold, or a soft look? ⤵️ Don't forget to check out the blog post for before/after photos, summary of wash day steps, and more help: genamarie.co/2021/06/how-to-get-stronger-hold--tips-for-preventing-a-crunchy-look--curlsmith-hotcurlsummer/
I haven’t tried curlsmith yet but I have a literal closet full of products lol. My most recent is paul Mitchell soft hold creme gel and I can’t even believe that a product that leaves no cast at all but leaves my hair almost completely frizz free. I even went to bed with damp hair and woke up to beautiful frizz free curls. It smells amazing too.
Thanks for being so clear with your directions. I definitely learned something new. I’ve been healing my hair since covid started and I love my curls now.
Yaaaaayyy finally someone that explains everything wow thank you! I love how you explained every detail on how to do a hair routine and how to take good care of your curls, I am gonna try this for sure thank you!
Thank you so much all you do!!! I have VERY low density hair, and have been so tempted to give up on wearing my hair curly as a result. I appreciate your mentioning strategies for the women with low density hair. I'm about to watch your video about covering your scalp..... thank you again for being encouraging!
Loved the day 2 the best with all the definition and softness. I have most of the Curlsmith stylers but have yet to have a routine nailed down. So far my hair is doing flash drying with the souffle and in shower fixer. May be because mine hair is wavy and I style with more water as otherwise it is so stringy.
My fav hair routine that never fails me is the air dry cream followed by a bit of their foam & that shape up gel. I get fantastic results everytime, & can get to day 4 with only the slightest dry refreshing on my face framing curls - and even that's not until day 3 typically. LOVE it!
I’m so glad you mentioned not brush styling the under layers of hair for us low density folks. When I do this and only brush style or finger coil the top layers I get so much more volume. Love the idea of layering gels to use their different properties. I’m going to try that next wash day!
It’s the first time that I really tried the layering gel method and I really liked it. I’m on day six now and still haven’t washed since this wash day 😂
I'm going to try this hopefully it will work have't been able to find the right products for my hair it's been very frustrating thank you for this video
Really great video. I've learned so much with you. Thank you so much for this. I do not have trouble getting a cast. The problem I get is to break up the cast. It stays in a hard cast. I have to shake, scrunch... so much that it break my up my curls. Then, if I apply less gel it fizz to much and doesn't hold. Could it be that gels aren't for everyone. I have fine low density hair, maby the gel I'm using are to strong. I'm waiting for Curlsmith Shape Up Aqua Gel to be delivered. Hopefully I'll have better results. Thanks and have a nice day.
Learned - walked outside yesterday thinking I’ll air dry - on my wash day - my hair was a mess - had to redo it - wish I watched your video the day before lol
What a concise video! There’s so much information here! Thank you! I’m madly in love with the Shape Up Aqua Gel! I think in combo with the Air Dry Cream, it’s magic! I assume when you said the 3-in-1 Cream you mean the Mulitasking Conditioner? Could you do a demo on how to use the Feather Light Protein Cream (or just talk about how). I’m baffled on what to use this with. I had a protein overload with it one washday! When you spoke about balancing moisture and protein, I finally understood what it meant! Yikes! Now, every washday is a clarifying one! The only difference is the level of moisture in the particular clarifier. I used the Living Proof Detox and it was fabulous but I can only do that once a month.
Loved the video! Lately I have been obsessed with a drop of leave in and then a strong hold cream because it gives me hold and definition and a less crunchy more voluminous look but maybe I will try gels again!
Gena I love your videos and especially this one since my hair is similar to yours and I live in a very high humidity environment. I have learned so much over the past few months during my post DevaCurl healing journey. Been on a mission to find the right products and am finding CurlSmith works well. I bought your hairdryer which I really like. I struggle with volume at the roots even with the diffuser and am always trying to get more lift so just bought some root lifting spray to see if that helps. I have the CS Protein feather light cream. Can you suggest which hard hold gel would be best to layer over that? Thanks for what you do❤️❤️❤️
That’s great! The Curlsmith In-shower Style Fixer is their strongest hold gel if you want to stick to Curlsmith: bit.ly/3iFN3eS Otherwise, I love the Ouidad heat & humidity stronger hold: rstyle.me/cz-n/eb3p7xvz6w
I recently started putting styling products on soaking wet hair. My hair is much more defined. I have thick, coarse hair and live in a very hot, dry climate. Perhaps my hair needs all moisture locked in.
I loved the entire video and I think your application of products is going to work the best for my hair type. But I have to say this drying technique is 💯 I’m all about “lazy”. I am definitely going to try this!!
Oh you make this look so easy! I bought the behairful brush after seeing your comparison video and I can’t do it nearly as nice as you! I bought the aqua gel and in styler fixer today after seeing this video the other day (I am also going full CurlSmith!) and hope that next time I style that I can follow this video and help my low density fine hair. But do I have to diffuse for good results? I am short on time with 2 kids and working full time so I am hoping no! If it does make a big difference I may have to seriously consider the Dyson since I have heard it speeds up drying time. Thanks for all the advice!
Hi Gena, I'm happy to have found your channel! Been catching up on videos. How would you compare the hold of this Curlsmith combo to the strongest hold gel you mention in your top ten gel video (Ouidad Advanced Climate Control)? Thanks, Sharon
Can you please help with regards to losing curl throughout the day? Products with to much oils and butters weigh my hair down. I would venture to say my hair is closest to yours but more gray for sure. If I scrunch out my gel cast it causes my curls to go limp 😩
Hey....thnkyou for ths video it was very helpful ......but as few month ago only, i started my curly hair journey nd my hair type is 2b curls, before that my hair was too frizz nd rough so i wanna knw abt aftr getting curls there is a frizz in my hair nd also after it dried out thy feel soft but too much frizziness is there so wht should i do🤔
Hey Gena, I'm wanting to try out some of your tips but I'm low porosity and my curl pattern is looser than yours, I'm wondering if sectioning and brushing through my stylers would still work for me?
I struggle so much with hold. Even if I do the gel mousse gel method, my curls are still nonexistent the next day (I sleep w a bonnet, clarify regularly, and use protein)
Some curl types just can be hard to get a super strong hold. Not sure if your hair is wavy or a looser curl, it's common for them to fall loose on next day
I really need help right now :(( I used to have beautiful curls, until middle school. I didn’t take care of it that much in 6th grade, but it still looked decent, as in it held the curls and it was very curly itself. Then in 7th grade I just stopped taking care of it, and Im paying the consequences now that Im about to start high school. I do take a lot care of it, but my back hair looks so loose, as in its “tired”. Its not that curly anymore and its frizzy all the time. I wanted to finger coil it at least, but its way too hard since its very long. Compared to the hair on the front, it looks absolutely terrible and unhealthy. I love my curls so much and I dont want to lose them :(( I’m probably going to do the big chop, wont be THAT big but it’ll definitely be big enough for my hair to get back to life. I have no idea how to get my curls back
I love your videos but I have a request.... I am either asking you to find a quest to come on your channel or help me find another channel to add to my subscriptions for showing me how to do all the things you do but for long hair, as you make it seem really easy for your length but trying to do all this on my hair causes frustration that I can't do as well as you. I have hair that I can sit on, so you get an idea of how long. I am not here to replace your channel just adding another. Thank you for sharing. Have a very lovely day!!!
The long curly hair is a struggle. I even followed a few long hair channels like Penny and I had no luck there either. I have settled with it's just my unique hair and I embrace whatever it looks like for the day :)
@BloodLace Rose there is Ayesha Malik here on YT. She has some older videos that are helpful. She isn't too active on YT lately but her videos are there. Edit: Oh and Penny Tovar she is also on YT and has longer curly hair as well.
It makes your curls shrink up and gives more volume than air drying. It prevents frizz from forming because it doesnt blow your hair all over the place like using a plain hair dryer without a diffuser attachment.
Just a question about your hair around the 20 minute mark you say “if you have --? Hair like I do then…” I’ve replayed it a few times and I’m just not sure what term you are using to refer to your own hair. I’d like to know so I can better understand if your hair is like my hair. I’d appreciate if you can clarify. It sounds something like “lived in hair” but I know that’s not what you’re really saying. 😆
I said "low density hair" 😊 It's a term for "thin" hair, where your hair is more sparse and can appear transparent if their are too many curl clumps. Separating them makes it appear fuller and thicker.
I have yet to figure out how to damp style without wrecking my curl clumps. My hair needs to be really wet. I should try again haha. Great video thanks so much!
I don’t know if this will work for you, but I get the curl clumps to form and hold in this way. After rinsing out the conditioner, I squeeze the water out of hair, then apply a leave-in and brush thru with wet brush. This creates natural curl clumps. I then just micro plop with open hands. Then I apply my stylers with praying hands followed with squishing. I do all of this with my head down. Also, for me, I have to have protein in all products. Hoping this might help you obtain curl clumps. Good luck!
@@sherilynschneider we must have very similar hair. I can comb thru my hair for the leave in but beyond that I can’t seem to disturb the clumps at all. I also do it all with my head down but the top of my hair always gets weird cowlicks. Do you have This issue?
@@eringray8026 I do have a couple that are a challenge. Sometimes I have to rewet the back, after styling products and standing up just to get it to play well. Yeah, I know…can’t disturb clumps here too.
@@GenaMarie I ended up washing yesterday and I followed the tips in your video but my curls fell flat the next day :( I do everything that I should (clarify, protein, sleep w bonnet, etc)
14:20 please don't call it 'lazy' to set down (or prop up) the dryer, when there are people who have physical impairments which prevent them from holding these tools for extended amounts of time (or at all!)...
Do you prefer strong hold, or a soft look? ⤵️
Don't forget to check out the blog post for before/after photos, summary of wash day steps, and more help: genamarie.co/2021/06/how-to-get-stronger-hold--tips-for-preventing-a-crunchy-look--curlsmith-hotcurlsummer/
Day 2 is my fave! The mix of volume and definition of a day 2 can’t be beat.
I agree! And it softens up but still has hold 🙌🏼
Sameeee
I haven’t tried curlsmith yet but I have a literal closet full of products lol. My most recent is paul Mitchell soft hold creme gel and I can’t even believe that a product that leaves no cast at all but leaves my hair almost completely frizz free. I even went to bed with damp hair and woke up to beautiful frizz free curls. It smells amazing too.
Thanks for being so clear with your directions. I definitely learned something new. I’ve been healing my hair since covid started and I love my curls now.
Thank you for these videos!! You’re the reason I started using curlsmith and I can’t believe I used anything else!
You're so welcome! They're definitely my favorite at the moment.
Yaaaaayyy finally someone that explains everything wow thank you! I love how you explained every detail on how to do a hair routine and how to take good care of your curls, I am gonna try this for sure thank you!
Thank you so much all you do!!! I have VERY low density hair, and have been so tempted to give up on wearing my hair curly as a result. I appreciate your mentioning strategies for the women with low density hair. I'm about to watch your video about covering your scalp..... thank you again for being encouraging!
Happy Sunday ....
Your tutorials help myself every way possible...My curls have the curl bounce back....Curl Smith is also to be Thanked .. 🤗
Aw so glad to hear!
@@GenaMarie
Gena Marie your curls are my goals
Loved the day 2 the best with all the definition and softness. I have most of the Curlsmith stylers but have yet to have a routine nailed down. So far my hair is doing flash drying with the souffle and in shower fixer. May be because mine hair is wavy and I style with more water as otherwise it is so stringy.
My fav hair routine that never fails me is the air dry cream followed by a bit of their foam & that shape up gel. I get fantastic results everytime, & can get to day 4 with only the slightest dry refreshing on my face framing curls - and even that's not until day 3 typically. LOVE it!
I’m so glad you mentioned not brush styling the under layers of hair for us low density folks. When I do this and only brush style or finger coil the top layers I get so much more volume. Love the idea of layering gels to use their different properties. I’m going to try that next wash day!
It’s the first time that I really tried the layering gel method and I really liked it. I’m on day six now and still haven’t washed since this wash day 😂
I'm going to try this hopefully it will work have't been able to find the right products for my hair it's been very frustrating thank you for this video
Ok, this video was super helpful! Definitely subscribing, thank you!
Ahh I am hoping to get Curlsmith someday...thanks so much for the informative video, Gena!
You're welcome!
Really great video.
I've learned so much with you. Thank you so much for this.
I do not have trouble getting a cast. The problem I get is to break up the cast. It stays in a hard cast. I have to shake, scrunch... so much that it break my up my curls. Then, if I apply less gel it fizz to much and doesn't hold.
Could it be that gels aren't for everyone. I have fine low density hair, maby the gel I'm using are to strong. I'm waiting for Curlsmith Shape Up Aqua Gel to be delivered. Hopefully I'll have better results.
Thanks and have a nice day.
Learned - walked outside yesterday thinking I’ll air dry - on my wash day - my hair was a mess - had to redo it - wish I watched your video the day before lol
Your videos are so helpful! Thank you! Also, you have me hooked on CurlSmith! 🤍
I love both the Curlsmith scalp and protein recipes. I use a bit of both when styling. I cannot get past the scent of the moisture recipe.
I love your hair on day 2 even better!! Beautiful!!
What a concise video! There’s so much information here! Thank you! I’m madly in love with the Shape Up Aqua Gel! I think in combo with the Air Dry Cream, it’s magic! I assume when you said the 3-in-1 Cream you mean the Mulitasking Conditioner? Could you do a demo on how to use the Feather Light Protein Cream (or just talk about how). I’m baffled on what to use this with. I had a protein overload with it one washday! When you spoke about balancing moisture and protein, I finally understood what it meant! Yikes! Now, every washday is a clarifying one! The only difference is the level of moisture in the particular clarifier. I used the Living Proof Detox and it was fabulous but I can only do that once a month.
Yep, the multitasking conditioner. I used it as a deep conditioner.
So glad it was helpful for you 🥰
Loved the video! Lately I have been obsessed with a drop of leave in and then a strong hold cream because it gives me hold and definition and a less crunchy more voluminous look but maybe I will try gels again!
May I ask what strong hold cream you use?
@@laurenmoses6675 I use one from herbal essence (my fav) or the firm hold cream from CurlyChic
Thanks very much. I got so much more volume for Day 1 hair! 😊
Wow, this was so informative!! You rock, thank you!! ❤👍👍❤❤
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent, thorough video. This is so helpful - thank you! You have gorgeous curls.
Thank you so much!
Gena I love your videos and especially this one since my hair is similar to yours and I live in a very high humidity environment. I have learned so much over the past few months during my post DevaCurl healing journey. Been on a mission to find the right products and am finding CurlSmith works well. I bought your hairdryer which I really like. I struggle with volume at the roots even with the diffuser and am always trying to get more lift so just bought some root lifting spray to see if that helps. I have the CS Protein feather light cream. Can you suggest which hard hold gel would be best to layer over that? Thanks for what you do❤️❤️❤️
That’s great! The Curlsmith In-shower Style Fixer is their strongest hold gel if you want to stick to Curlsmith: bit.ly/3iFN3eS
Otherwise, I love the Ouidad heat & humidity stronger hold: rstyle.me/cz-n/eb3p7xvz6w
I recently started putting styling products on soaking wet hair. My hair is much more defined. I have thick, coarse hair and live in a very hot, dry climate. Perhaps my hair needs all moisture locked in.
Yeah, it seems like damp styling is best for low density hair versus thick hair
Love your videos. You do such a great job at giving so much detail
Thank you so much!
What is your preferred setting for diffusing? Low, medium or high temperature?
Thank you for your video I am loving curlsmith so much right now could you do a review on verb products ❤️
I need to! I've heard great things.
love it, going to try this and these products..
I loved the entire video and I think your application of products is going to work the best for my hair type. But I have to say this drying technique is 💯 I’m all about “lazy”. I am definitely going to try this!!
Me too! And damp styling cuts down on dry time! I can diffuse my hair in just under 15 min 🙌🏼
Hi Gena Marie... love your videos!. Which Curlsmith leave in and gel will you recommend the most for high humidity environment?
Oh you make this look so easy! I bought the behairful brush after seeing your comparison video and I can’t do it nearly as nice as you! I bought the aqua gel and in styler fixer today after seeing this video the other day (I am also going full CurlSmith!) and hope that next time I style that I can follow this video and help my low density fine hair. But do I have to diffuse for good results? I am short on time with 2 kids and working full time so I am hoping no! If it does make a big difference I may have to seriously consider the Dyson since I have heard it speeds up drying time. Thanks for all the advice!
Just got to the diffusing part of the video, oh no! 🤣
Hi Gena, I'm happy to have found your channel! Been catching up on videos. How would you compare the hold of this Curlsmith combo to the strongest hold gel you mention in your top ten gel video (Ouidad Advanced Climate Control)? Thanks, Sharon
Which shampoo do you recommend for very fine 2a hair to remove product buildup?
Another GREAT video!!!!!!!!
Thank you!
Very helpful. Love your curls. Question what hairdryer do you use? I need a new one. Thanks. Been loving curlsmith products!!!
Thanks! This Conair one! rstyle.me/+AVjxkxP19XOxMcJjhAv1wg
@@GenaMarie Do you like it better than the Dyson?
I use this hairdryer as well! Love the diffuser that it comes with.
@@Detroit-Jen thank you for responding too! Helps.
I'm curious why the In-Shower Fixer is not being sold in the UK anymore. Any thoughts?
So much products & work
Would you review the AG curl refresh definer. I keep hearing its a one and done product. I would love to only apply one product
What type of hair bonnet do you sleep with?
I wear my hair up, Majority of the time. terrible Humidity In Houston.
I've run out of Ideas?
Can you please help with regards to losing curl throughout the day? Products with to much oils and butters weigh my hair down. I would venture to say my hair is closest to yours but more gray for sure. If I scrunch out my gel cast it causes my curls to go limp 😩
Hey....thnkyou for ths video it was very helpful ......but as few month ago only, i started my curly hair journey nd my hair type is 2b curls, before that my hair was too frizz nd rough so i wanna knw abt aftr getting curls there is a frizz in my hair nd also after it dried out thy feel soft but too much frizziness is there so wht should i do🤔
I want to try this but I have soo much hair and it looks like it takes some time. Would this hold for a week? I only wash once a week.
Great video. Can I apply this information to permed curly hair?
I dont have experience with permed hair, but I would think these would still work!
@@GenaMarie thank you
Hey Gena, I'm wanting to try out some of your tips but I'm low porosity and my curl pattern is looser than yours, I'm wondering if sectioning and brushing through my stylers would still work for me?
Yes of course! anyone can use that techniques
I struggle so much with hold. Even if I do the gel mousse gel method, my curls are still nonexistent the next day (I sleep w a bonnet, clarify regularly, and use protein)
Some curl types just can be hard to get a super strong hold. Not sure if your hair is wavy or a looser curl, it's common for them to fall loose on next day
@@GenaMarie my hair usually forms ringlets, but I do have long hair (past my breasts). Are there any ways to help it?
I really need help right now :(( I used to have beautiful curls, until middle school. I didn’t take care of it that much in 6th grade, but it still looked decent, as in it held the curls and it was very curly itself. Then in 7th grade I just stopped taking care of it, and Im paying the consequences now that Im about to start high school. I do take a lot care of it, but my back hair looks so loose, as in its “tired”. Its not that curly anymore and its frizzy all the time. I wanted to finger coil it at least, but its way too hard since its very long. Compared to the hair on the front, it looks absolutely terrible and unhealthy. I love my curls so much and I dont want to lose them :(( I’m probably going to do the big chop, wont be THAT big but it’ll definitely be big enough for my hair to get back to life. I have no idea how to get my curls back
I love your videos but I have a request.... I am either asking you to find a quest to come on your channel or help me find another channel to add to my subscriptions for showing me how to do all the things you do but for long hair, as you make it seem really easy for your length but trying to do all this on my hair causes frustration that I can't do as well as you. I have hair that I can sit on, so you get an idea of how long. I am not here to replace your channel just adding another. Thank you for sharing. Have a very lovely day!!!
The long curly hair is a struggle. I even followed a few long hair channels like Penny and I had no luck there either. I have settled with it's just my unique hair and I embrace whatever it looks like for the day :)
@BloodLace Rose there is Ayesha Malik here on YT.
She has some older videos that are helpful. She isn't too active on YT lately but her videos are there.
Edit: Oh and Penny Tovar she is also on YT and has longer curly hair as well.
@@theresas2520 ¸Thank you so very much I will look them up now. Keep up the great videos. Have a very lovely day!!!
I don’t have a diffuser and don’t actually get what it does but I should probably get one lol
It makes your curls shrink up and gives more volume than air drying. It prevents frizz from forming because it doesnt blow your hair all over the place like using a plain hair dryer without a diffuser attachment.
@@GenaMarie oh thank you! I’ll definitely look into getting one!
Ok I did it! I bought the brush! My demnan brush just ain’t cutting it!
I always seem to reach for the Behairful over my Denman!
It looks amazing. The denman just never worked for me
The behairful brush is awesome!!
Just a question about your hair around the 20 minute mark you say “if you have --? Hair like I do then…” I’ve replayed it a few times and I’m just not sure what term you are using to refer to your own hair. I’d like to know so I can better understand if your hair is like my hair. I’d appreciate if you can clarify. It sounds something like “lived in hair” but I know that’s not what you’re really saying. 😆
I said "low density hair" 😊 It's a term for "thin" hair, where your hair is more sparse and can appear transparent if their are too many curl clumps. Separating them makes it appear fuller and thicker.
@@GenaMarie aha! Thanks so much for your response!
What defining brush do you recommend?
The Behairful! My code is GENAMARIE for 10% off behairfulbrush.com/discount/GENAMARIE
@@GenaMarie Thank you!
I have yet to figure out how to damp style without wrecking my curl clumps. My hair needs to be really wet. I should try again haha. Great video thanks so much!
It's a very fine line lol! i start damp, and add more water where/when needed while styling
I don’t know if this will work for you, but I get the curl clumps to form and hold in this way. After rinsing out the conditioner, I squeeze the water out of hair, then apply a leave-in and brush thru with wet brush. This creates natural curl clumps. I then just micro plop with open hands. Then I apply my stylers with praying hands followed with squishing. I do all of this with my head down. Also, for me, I have to have protein in all products. Hoping this might help you obtain curl clumps. Good luck!
@@sherilynschneider we must have very similar hair. I can comb thru my hair for the leave in but beyond that I can’t seem to disturb the clumps at all. I also do it all with my head down but the top of my hair always gets weird cowlicks. Do you have This issue?
@@GenaMarie I have to wash my hair tomorrow so I’m excited to try this!
@@eringray8026 I do have a couple that are a challenge. Sometimes I have to rewet the back, after styling products and standing up just to get it to play well. Yeah, I know…can’t disturb clumps here too.
Hey Gena I sent message in Instagram too can the balm make hair greasy too thanka
I’ve never had the hold me softly style balm make my hair greasy but I guess it could if you used too much maybe because it is a thicker cream.
@@GenaMarie thanks so much maybe I try a lighter cream
Would it be possible to acheive this with a protein foam and a liquid gel?
Yes, definitely. These tips can work with any products you have, as long as some have strong hold ingredients.
@@GenaMarie I ended up washing yesterday and I followed the tips in your video but my curls fell flat the next day :( I do everything that I should (clarify, protein, sleep w bonnet, etc)
14:20 please don't call it 'lazy' to set down (or prop up) the dryer, when there are people who have physical impairments which prevent them from holding these tools for extended amounts of time (or at all!)...