Preparing hair: shampoo, conditioner and protective styling product for curly hair

Choosing the right moisturizing shampoo for curly hair

Curls are born in the shower: banish detergent sulfates and opt for a shampoo rich in silk proteins or plant butters (mango, murumuru).

The former strengthen the cuticle; the latter restore elasticity. Water should be lukewarm: excessive temperature dilates the cuticle, leading to frizz.

Apply a leave-in mask to reduce frizz and static electricity

A creamy leave-in acts as an anti-moisture veil. Squeeze out excess water with a microfiber towel. .. never absorbent cotton, which is too abrasive. Leave the product on for three minutes; the fiber, still damp, absorbs it like a luxurious "moisturizing cocktail".

Distribute styling cream or gel evenly

Glide your palms flat ("praying hands") then scrunch up and down; each strand curls and memorizes its natural shape. The result: long-lasting definition without the cardboard effect.

Plopping: the gentle way to pre-dry and define curls

Essential equipment

• 100% ultra-soft cotton T-shirt
• Madame d'Alexis microfiber towel, high-density absorbent weave

Key steps

• Head down, place the hair in the center of the fabric.
• Wrap loosely and tie at the nape of the neck.
• Wait 10 to 20 minutes for the excess water to migrate to the textile.

Why adopt it?

• 30% shorter drying time
• Pre-formed curls, minimal frizz
• Zero heat means zero breakage

Diffuser drying: control the heat and volume of your curls

Choosing the spray tip

Choose a wide cone with short, perforated pins that disperse the air, avoiding the "wind tunnel" effect.

Elegant settings

• Low power, warm air for up to 80% drying.
• Finish with a cool blast: it "seals" the cuticle and makes curly hair shine.

Gestures section by section

• With your head bent, place the root on the pimples and gently work your way up.
• Work from the bottom up to maximize spring and volume.

Kitchen strainer: TikTok myth or valid tip?

It's an amusing idea, but the metal burns and the diffusion is never uniform. The risk of weakening the fiber is real; reserve the colander for your pasta, not your hair.

The watchword is softness. Every gesture, every product, every degree of heat must serve a simple ambition: to give curls the freedom to reveal themselves in their purest form, deeply moisturized, delicately defined, sumptuously protected.

Air drying: when and how to use it without weakening strands

The delicacy of air-drying is appreciated when time is short and hair wants to breathe. But it's important to adopt the right ritual: leaving curly hair to drip endlessly is more a matter of carelessness than luxury.

Microfibre pre-spin to accelerate quick-drying

• Press hair into an absorbent microfiber towel; never wring out.

• This saves up to 30% drying time and reduces static electricity.

Risks if hair remains damp for too long: swollen cuticle, breakage

When water stagnates, the cuticle expands, the fiber softens, the strands stretch and then break. Here's an anecdote: during a backstage session in Paris, I saw a supermodel lose half a curl that had become soaked under a bonnet. Since then, I've never compromised: after two hours, open air becomes your enemy.

Pro tip: wet plopping + free air for highly textured or frizzy hair

Wrap wet hair in a cotton T-shirt for ten minutes, then let it dry naturally. The definition remains intact, and the frizzy fiber is never attacked by heat.

Finishing tips: scrunch, serum and anti-frizz protection

Scrunch out the crunch: remove the cardboard effect without breaking the loop

When the styling product has set, gently squeeze the curls; the crunch disappears, the spring remains.

Serum or light oil: seal in moisture, add shine

Three drops of camellia oil warmed between the palms is all it takes, and the shine takes on the allure of wild silk.

Morning refresher spray & pineapple technique to sleep without flattening

A mist of orange blossom hydrosol in the morning and a high, loose chignon preserve volume and definition into the evening.

Comparison of drying techniques for curly hair

Method	Drying time	Heat	Frizz effect	Volume obtained	Protection level
Plopping + free air	1 h 30	no	minimal	medium	★★★★☆
Warm diffuser	25 min	lukewarm/cold	low	high	★★★☆☆
Free air only	3 h	no	medium	natural	★★★☆☆
Hot diffuser	15 min	hot	fort	very high	★★☆☆☆

Guide to drying times by length, density and method

Length (cm)	Density	Method	Estimated time	Recommended temperature
≤ 20	fine	warm diffuser	12 min	40 °C
≤ 20	thick	plopping + air	50 min	open air
30-40	average	warm diffuser	25 min	45 °C
30-40	thick	free air only	3 h 30	-

Answers from Madame d'Alexis: your questions about drying curly hair

How to dry curly hair without damaging the fiber?

To dry curlyhair without damaging the hair fiber:

• Protective styling product applied to wet hair.
• Diffuser set to low heat; this technique helps prevent frizz and protect textured hair.

What techniques can be used to dry curls?

• Three proven methods:

• Plopping for gentle pre-drying.
• Diffuser drying: work section by section, upside down, using the appropriate diffuser attachment.
• Air dry with upward strokes; also suitable for long hair.

How do you get perfectly defined curls?

To define loops:

• Use a styling cream or a light styling product.
• Respect the natural texture; the method works on frizzy or wavy hair.
• Strand by strand, gently squeeze out excess water before scrunching.

What's the best way to dry hair?

• Diffuser = fast drying, control of drying time.
• Alternate between moderate heat and cold air to set the shape.
• First, dab with a microfiber towel (or thin cotton towel ): this is an effective technique for reducing static electricity.

How to avoid frizz in the drying phase?

• To avoid frizz:

• Never brush dry hair ; work with it while it is still damp.
• Protect the cuticle with a moisturizing care system.
• Ensure even distribution of the product, especially on damaged hair, to preservemoisture.

What products should you choose to dry your curls without compromise?

• Thick cream or no-rinse milk: long-lasting hydration.
• Styling gel or mousse: definition and airy hold.
• Serum or light oil: final touch, mirror-like radiance, natural thermal protection.

How to air-dry without breakage?

Wring out gently with a microfiber, apply leave-in, then scrunch. Leave hair in place for two hours, then wrap in silk netting to prevent swelling. Result: supple curls, zero tension, haute couture allure.