10 Best Ways to Refresh Your Curly Hair

Refreshing curly hair is a great way to extend the life of your curls and maintain their shape and definition between wash days. Whether you have fine, fluffy curls or thick, coarse curls, there are various methods and techniques you can use to refresh your hair and bring it back to life. In this article, we will explore some of the best ways to refresh curly hair.

1. Spritz With Water

The simplest refresh is misting your hair with plain water. Water acts as a natural reset for curls, moisturizing the hair and causing it to swell back up into its curled shape. Use a spray bottle filled with just water, or for enhanced moisturizing benefits add a few drops of a humectant like glycerin. Lightly spray throughout your hair, focusing on the ends, then scrunch or fluff with your fingers to encourage the curls to reform.

You can also wet your hands with water and glide them gently over dry curls to smooth flyaways and revive the shape. Be careful not to over-saturate - you only want to lightly dampen the hair strands, not fully re-wet them. Let air dry or speed it up with a diffuser. This water-based refresh works best when hair is only 1-2 days past a wash.

2. Use Dry Shampoo

For curly hair that's a few days into its lifecycle and in need of some purification, reach for dry shampoo. Choose a formulation meant for thicker, curlier hair types. Shake it well and spray a small amount at the roots, rubbing in gently with your fingertips. Dry shampoo absorbs oils and refreshes limp curls by adding volume back at the roots. Let it fully set into the hair, then fluff with your fingers. It will leave hair refreshed and smelling fresh.

Be careful not to over-apply dry shampoo, as residue can weigh down curls. Apply sparingly, focusing on oilier areas near the scalp and not the ends. It's best used around day 3 or 4 after a wash when hair still has decent definition but needs a boost.

3. Try a Hair Mask

To really pump new moisture back into parched curly locks that have lost their bounce, reach for a deep conditioning hair mask. Apply it generously from mid-lengths to ends, avoiding the roots to prevent oil buildup there. Popular options for curls include masks containing ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, argan oil, and hydrolyzed quinoa protein. Let it soak in for at least 20 minutes under a plastic cap or towel before rinsing out.

The hydration from a nourishing hair mask can plump up curls that are looking limp. Follow with your normal curl creams or gels to restyle. This is best done when hair is past its normal 5-7 day wash cycle and really starved of moisture. It can extend the life of a curly style by refreshing it for another 3-5 days before the next wash.

4. Scrunch Out Crunch

"Scrunching out the crunch" is a curl refresher technique specifically for hair that has been styled with gel or mousse. As these products fully dry, they form a crispy, crunchy cast around each curl clump that immobilizes the style. But gently scrunching that cast between your fingers helps soften it and allow the curls to regain movement and bounce.

Run your fingers from root to tip through each section of hair and lightly scrunch to break up the cast without disrupting the curl formation underneath. This allows hair to regain its natural movement and shine while preserving the definition worked in at styling. It's ideal a few hours or the next day after applying gel for a refreshed look.

5. Use a Soft Cotton T-Shirt or Microfiber Towel

Gently drying curly hair can help revive it in between washes. Grab a soft cotton t-shirt or microfiber towel and very lightly wrap your hair up in it after it's partially air dried. Gently pat and scrunch your hair through the towel a few sections at a time to absorb excess moisture without disturbing the curl pattern. This mimics the hydrating effect of a wash and makes hair look shiny and renewed.

It's always better for curls to dry naturally if possible, so avoid rubbing with the towel. Let hair continue to fully air dry wrapped in your towel turban-style if needed. The gentle towel drying effect is good for resetting curls on approximately day 3 or 4 after a wash.

6. Use a Denman Brush or Wet Brush

For looser curl patterns that have lost definition, try gently brushing out sectioned hair with a specialized wet brush or Denman brush while damp. These brushes are designed to detangle without causing frizz. Wetting your hair first helps promote glide. Brush through one section at a time using downward strokes to encourage curl clumping. Don't rake tightly through very tight curls.

The brushing motion can help restart larger curl formations for wavy hair that has puffed out too much. It takes some practice to get just the right pressure. Let your brushed hair air dry or style as usual afterward and you'll see revitalized definition without having to fully re-wet.

7. Diffuse with a Concentrated Heat Setting

Using a diffuser on a low, concentrated heat setting is a fast way to refresh limp curls and get back styled bounce between washes. Clip the diffuser attachment onto your blow dryer and set it to a low heat, high fan speed. Work in small sections, positioning the diffuser nozzle close to roots and gently pulsing warm air up through the hair strands.

The diffused heat helps evaporate water and re-shape curls without added products. Be sure to pulse and move the diffuser around, not blasting any one area for more than a few seconds to avoid frizz. For best results diffuse hair that is around 50% dry already. Finish with cool air and you’ll have happily reborn curls in no time!

8. Use Refresh Sprays and Lotions

There are also plenty of curl refresh sprays and lotions made specifically for revitalizing second or third day curls. Look for formulations containing nutrients like vitamin E, oils, polymers, and humidifying ingredients. Shake or comb these through damp or dry hair and then scrunch to revive your curls without a full re-wash.

9. Refresh With a Gel Cast

Sometimes curls just need a dose of definition back with a gel reset. Apply a small amount of your favorite strong hold gel to wet or damp hair after spritzing with water. Focus the product on second day hair when curls are still in decent shape. Finger coil, rake, or scrunch the gel in. Let it fully dry for another crisp gel cast that re-establishes each curl.

This can stretch your curls another 2-3 days past when they normally lose bounce. Be sure to properly scrunch out the crunch again after for softness. It’s a great minimal refresh option if curls just need reactivating versus deep moisture replenishment.

10. Refresh Roots with Dry Shampoo and a Pick or Comb

To refresh both roots and curls together, start with dry shampoo at the scalp as above. Let it fully set in. Then gently run a wide-tooth comb or pick through roots from front to back to lift them away from the scalp. This adds volume while distributing the dry shampoo oils. Finish with fingertips to break up any tangles. It rebalances root-to-end volume for an instant perk up.