Fall Formula At Your Fingertips!

Step-by-Step Styling Instructions for longer-lasting Defined Curls

(All the nuances included in each video)

  • CurlyTay - Taylor

    Taylor shares her wavy styling techniques that gives her pro-stylist results at home.

    Drying Instructions:
    This routine takes about a total of 30 minutes to diffuse and last for 3 days before a refresh is needed. I refresh with TreLuxe Curl Defining Mousse. I find that a T-shirt absorbs more water and causes less frizz!

  • Curlsafter50 - Tami

    Tami shares her BEST methods for making curls last longer!

  • Curlyniquenique - Dominique

    Dominique shows how to achieve apex definition with her WASH & Go routine.

    Drying Instructions:
    For the best definition I use low heat on the highest setting when diffusing. This takes me approximately 15 minutes to complete dry.

  • Crystalclearcurls - Crystal

    Crystal shares her best methods for achieving definition!

    Drying Instructions:
    I sit under a hooded dryer for 45-50 mins, starting with high heat for approximately 15 minutes, and finishing on low heat.

  • Allthingscourtneyjo - Courtney

    Courtney shares how to achieve definition with her choice TreLuxe products!

    Drying Instructions:
    When diffusing, I use the lowest setting ( there are 3 levels, so I use the first). With the Speed option, there are 3 speeds and I use the middle option. With these settings it takes my hair approximately 30 minutes to dry.

    What You Know Determines How Your Curls Flow!

    We've put together this free downloadable content that helps you consider how to best fight frizz, preserve your curls, and increase curl clumping for greater definition.

    SALON ELEVATED CURLS AT HOME

    We sat down with Chicago-based curl maestro, color enthusiast, and licensed stylist Kelley George to discover and discuss how curlies can achieve the fresh from the salon look all week long from home! Early in her career, Kelley discovered that there was a deficit in stylists who could confidently work with curly textures. She followed her interest to fill the need and has amassed a wealth of curly hair knowledge through experience working at Chicago-area salons such as Curls and Company, Kelley currently works independently at Salon Hex in Chicago's West Town neighborhood. We are incredibly grateful to Kelley for sharing her expertise with our #curltribe!

    *Answers were edited for length and clarity.

    Q: How can we get our curls to last beyond Day 2?

    A: Sometimes a little pineapple will stay overnight, but it's not always there, so I'm just being realistic. The smoother silky pillowcase is kind of the win for me. Also, this isn't as commonly thought of as an answer for how to get your hair to last, but the more thorough of a job you have done in the beginning, the longer it is going to last.

    If you rushed during the day shampooing or detangling or in the application, you might not get as many days out of it. I don't do my hair to a perfect ten every single day, but I do know that on those days where I am really paying attention and doing everything to the best of my ability, it does look better and it does last a little longer.

    Typically, the longer you wait in between washes, the longer you are going to want to spend when you do have that wash day. So if you're doing it about every three days, it's not going to take as long as for someone who is going five, seven, ten days, you're really going to be rebalancing when you come back to that. I have also seen a lot of clients experience better luck with their products by being sure to apply the product to very wet hair and to blot it, dry it gently after instead of rubbing it and, you know, squeezing so much water out and then trying to apply the product to hair that's already become somewhat fuzzy.

    Q: What can we do at home to get the in-salon results?

    A: Typically I use my fingers the most while I'm styling. But on days where I've maybe waited a little too long, I might bring out the wide tooth. For people who have longer hair or just need a little bit of help. I kind of like a wiggly teeth brush. I don't know what the proper term for them are, but it is more gentle. It doesn't snag, it doesn't tear. It's not going to break as much.

    I use {microfiber towels} on my clients all the time. It is a much softer fiber, so it doesn't pick the hair apart as much as a terrycloth might. It helps it stay a little smoother and shinier. And of course, got to love the Dyson. You don't have to get one that is quite this intense, but it is good to have a diffuser and to have multiple heat and speed settings.

    Q: What basic scalp and hair steps typically get overlooked that impact end results?

    A: I would say some of the basic scalp and curly hair, things that are often overlooked would be that it actually is important to have your scalp and your hair well cleansed. A lot of us use a lot of products. We are exposed to pollution, the mineral buildup from our pipes. We really do need to do a deeper cleanse from time to time and just not tp be afraid to use a moisturizing shampoo as well in between those deeper cleanses.

    I also would say it's often overlooked how important it is to really, truly get hair detangled all the way from roots to end while you're washing. This just helps it stay healthy, and this also will make the overall look over your style more successful.

    Q: What do you wish all curlies did or knew to make caring for their curls easier?

    I wish all curlies knew that we all started somewhere. I had no idea I had curly hair until I was in my mid-twenties and it took another couple of years to actually make it look good. Try to enjoy your journey. If you're new at it, don't be afraid to play with your hair, but also keep it simple enough that you're not going to feel overwhelmed.

    This means, you know, when you're first starting out. Keep it to a couple products and just be consistent and then when you get used to that, you can start adding.

    Don't be afraid to play with what will happen if I diffuse it, flipped over and scrunched versus what happens if I diffuse while I'm hanging over to the side. Those are the little differences that you can experiment with and just see your preference. It can also help you make things easier to partner with a stylist who is comfortable and familiar working with curls. A lot of us do offer a session where you are just coming in to get a style and during that you can troubleshoot what you have been struggling with.

    Q: What can we do at home to get the in-salon results for low density curlies?

    A: For lower density clients. I recommend using stylers that allow for expansion. I like to use a foam. This helps it stay full and bouncy and I trick people into thinking that my hair is thick all the time and there really is not very much of it. I'll also scrunch in a little bit of a gel. If I'm trying to get the style to last longer or if I'm going to have time to actually diffuse all the way, I might use even more gel.

    When you have lower density curly hair, it will generally be more enjoyable for you to maintain some kind of a shape that will help you get the volume that you are looking for. Sometimes if you are, you know, you're trying to get more length or you're going too long in between trims, the ends will start to get rough. It'll actually drag it down and make it look even thinner at times.

    Q: What can we do at home to get the in-salon results for curlies with thick hair?

    A: For clients who have really thick hair. I would say it is extra important to be on top of your detangling. You do not want to have tangles that are kind of trapped up by your scalp. That can be painful and make it difficult and it can also make it hard to get the style that you're going for, because the roots will not lay the way that you are wanting them to.

    Q: What would you recommend for a variety of hair types to bring pro style home?

    This is just something I have seen pretty often working with a variety of textures and densities. I would also say that it is important to make sure that your hair is drying all the way. At some point you can, you know, use a diffuser to get in there. But I would also like to point out is absolutely not ridiculous to buy a hooded dryer if it takes your hair a very long time to dry, you can have your hands free while you're doing something else and working on your hair at the same time. And it will help you survive the winters that we have here.

    And overall for pro results. Like I said, just be consistent. Be thorough. Partner with a curl specialist who can support your goals and try to have fun with it and enjoy your journey. Don't be afraid to try new things!