Ready to transform your wash day into a dreamy, effortless ritual?
Read on for my go-to wash day products for long-lasting defined curls. These products and tools keep my gray curls healthy, defined, and frizz-free without the fuss.
Whether you’re a curly veteran or just starting your journey, these products are tried, tested, and perfect for achieving bouncy, hydrated curls with minimal effort.
From sulfate-free cleansers to massage must-haves, I’ll walk you through everything you need to transform your wash day routine to make your natural curls pop. Let’s dive in and make every wash day your best one yet!
Note: I have thick, high-density, coarse gray hair strands, and a mix of low and medium porosity. If your hair is not like mine, these products may be too heavy for you. If this is the case, use less and/or skip the deep conditioner step. And use only mousse.
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I go into more details below, but my typical wash day steps are:
1. prepoo with a slippery conditioner (leave it in, don’t wash it out) and gently detangle with a little water.
2. use a clarifying shampoo + scalp massager. My bottle has a tip so I can get the shampoo on my scalp where I need it. Rinse out.
3. use a detox + scalp massager. My bottle has a tip so I can get the detox on my scalp where I need it. Rinse out.
4. use a deep conditioner for about 5 minutes in the summer (longer in the colder months). Gently comb it through with a wide tooth comb. Rinse out. Put wet hair in a shower cap while I finish showering.
5. at the sink, I divide my hair in sections with these clips. My hair is pretty wet at this stage. Then I work in sections by adding mousse, brushing through with this Tangle Teezer brush, and adding gel. I do this for each section. I do NOT scrunch my hair because it causes frizz.
6. when I am all done, I clip the roots and sit under my hooded hair dryer for about 75 minutes. I also have my Dyson hair dryer blowing on the lower ends of my (long) hair. This is the hair dryer stand I use for that.
Here are the product details for a flawless wash day routine that keeps my curls healthy, hydrated, and defined:
Pre-Poo
I use this deep conditioner as a pre-poo: the Silver Slay Lemongrass & Rosemary Deep Conditioner from Ecoslay. It is white and creamy (and it smells amazing). My coarse curls SOAK this up and turn buttery smooth. No lie. [use my coupon code Gaby15]
Clarifying Sulfate-Free Shampoo that does not dry out my curls: Ouidad Moisture Lock Ultra-Nourishing Cleansing Oil Shampoo. This shampoo contains olefin sulfonate, but it does not dry out my hair because of the oils and the pre-poo step. It is fantastic for my scalp. It also lasts a long time because it is so concentrated, and you only need a little bit.
Cleansing Shampoo
I alternate the clarifying shampoo with this amazing Lemongrass and Rosemary Revitalizing Cleanser from Silver Slay. It has ingredients like niacinamide and panthenol to strengthen, caffeine and nettle extract to invigorate, and blue malva to soothe and subtly brighten my gray curls. [use my coupon code Gaby15]
Detox
I always follow the shampoo step with this fabulous detox: Bounce Curl Turmeric Purifying Hair & Scalp Mask. It contains charcoal, apple cider vinegar, and peppermint, and is the best I have found on the market, especially for the price. The mask tingles upon application, which feels nice, and while it smells faintly like vinegar, it washes out completely. Great if you have hard water and buildup on your hair and scalp. [use my coupon code GABYSILVERCURLS10]
Scalp massage brush for the shampoo and detox steps
The HEETA Scalp Massager is a soft silicone brush designed to gently exfoliate your scalp and promote hair growth—all while providing a relaxing head massage. It works perfectly for thick, thin, and curly hair types. You can’t beat the price.
Deeply Hydrating Conditioner
A rich conditioner with excellent slip is crucial for detangling and moisturizing curls. I use the same one I used for my prepoo from Ecoslay as it nourishes and softens my hair: the Silver Slay Lemongrass & Rosemary Deep Conditioner. I often also use it as a leave-in conditioner! [use my coupon code Gaby15]
Leave-In Conditioner [I skip the leave in and cream when I use a mousse+gel combo]
Locks in moisture and protects my curls throughout the day. This one from Bounce Curl is my favorite. It boosts hydration, aids detangling, and helps control frizz. [use my coupon code GABYSILVERCURLS10]
I also use the same Silver Slay Lemongrass & Rosemary Deep Conditioner as a leave-in conditioner! [use my coupon code Gaby15]
Curl Defining Cream
I use this Bounce Curl Avocado & Rose Oil Clump & Define Cream in the colder, drier, winter months to enhance my natural curl pattern. [use my coupon code GABYSILVERCURLS10] I always couple this with a gel. In the summer months, I SKIP cream to reduce frizz.
Mousse/Gel Combos
Lately, I have been using a mousse + gel combination for soft, yet defined curls.
These are my favorite combos so far (I am always trying new ones):
Umberto Giannini curl whip and curl jelly. Warning: the fragrance is a bit strong. If you are sensitive to strong fragrances, I would not advise using this.
Miche foam styler and Harry’s Sculpting Gel
Miche foam styler and the Miche Tropical Oasis Gel
I have also used the Miche foam styler by itself! Soft curls, but they don’t last as long.
Styling Gel
For extra hold and definition, I use strong-hold gels to shape my curls and reduce frizz without weighing down my curls. Harry’s Styling Gel is an inexpensive yet fantastic option. It is as thick as glue, but a little goes a long way on soaking wet hair!
Another couple of favorites of mine are Silver Slay’s Vanilla Styling Whip and Ecoslay’s Jelloshot Curl Defining Gel. I alternate these gels depending on my mood and the humidity. The Ecoslay/Silver Slay gels are plant-based and good for my hair!
Bonnet and pillowcase
For nighttime protection, I love this 100% pure mulberry silk pillowcase from Zimasilk. It has silk on both sides and a zipper, and is machine washable. It also doesn’t break the bank!
Styling brush and Hooded Hair Dryer
These hair products, combined with tools like the Tangle Teezer brush and my ionic hooded hair dryer, transform my wash day and create a comprehensive routine that nourishes, defines, and protects my curls from root to tip!
If you do not know your hair characteristics, take the Curly Hair Quiz.
Try it out
I discovered some of these products through Curls Monthly, a rotating selection of curl products to try in sample sizes, which is so helpful for saving $$$. If you want to give it a try, here’s a discount:
It’s also handy that most products come in travel sizes. Perfect for when I just have a carry-on with me.
I hope you find this useful!
