For Corkscrew, Corkicelli, and Botticelli Curls
CurlyWorld has developed daily routines for each curl type to help protect and enhance the natural beauty of your curls.
For Corkscrew, Corkicelli, and Botticelli Curls
1. Step under the shower as if you’re standing under a waterfall and let the water cascade through your curls. Resist the impulse to start scrubbing your head and disturbing your hair’s basic shape. If the water pressure is strong, cup your hair in your hands. Wet hair thoroughly.
2. Take a generous palmful of your water soluble, sulfate-free cleanser, evenly distribute it between your hands, and graze it downward on the outer layer (aka the canopy) of your hair as if you were icing a cake. This will enable the product to soak into your hair for maximum hydration while you are cleansing your scalp.
3. To clean your scalp, Cup one hand, and apply the cleanser in a straight line along your fingertips the way you’d apply toothpaste to a toothbrush. Evenly distribute to the fingertips of the other hand and then apply directly to the scalp; be careful not to disturb your curls.
4. Starting at the temples, massage the scalp with circular motions, move down the sides and then to the top of your head and crown. Finally, massage the back of your head, finishing up at the nape. Use your fingers as a comb to gently detangle. Now let the water spray through your hair, rinsing out whatever your fingers have loosened. This slow rinse method will help prevent tangles and allow for greater hydration.
For Corkscrew, Corkicelli, and Botticelli Curls
5. Take a generous palmful of your water soluble, silicone-free conditioner, evenly distribute it between your hands, and graze it downward on the outer layer (aka the canopy) of your hair as if you were icing a cake. If needed, apply more conditioner through the hair at each side of your head, using your fingers as a comb to gently detangle. The point is to distribute the conditioner evenly through your hair’s landscape so no curl is left behind.
6. Apply a dollop of conditioner under the hair at the nape of your neck, the spot most prone to tangles and knots. The hair there breaks easily, so be patient and gentle when trying to release any tangles or knots with your fingers. (Ripping equals frays and frays equal more knots.) Then, using your fingers, comb through your hair from underneath, removing any loose hairs. Remember, it’s normal to see some loose hair strands during this process.
7. Before rinsing your hair, stand away from the shower flow. Cup your hands under the water and splash water over your hair a couple of times. I call this a trickle or baptism rinse; it ensures that the canopy of the hair, which is constantly exposed to the environment and thus very dry, can absorb the right amount of conditioner to stop it from frizzing. Over time, you’ll know instinctively whether to rinse out any more conditioner at this point. If you do rinse, just let the shower spray fall over your head for a few seconds to evenly distribute the conditioner without removing it.
For Corkscrew, Corkicelli, and Botticelli Curls
8. If you desire more volume, tilt your head forward. Loosely cupping a bamboo towel, paper towel, or an old cotton T-shirt, gently squeeze upward toward the scalp to remove excess water and encourage curl formation. (It should sound very squishy.) Repeat this motion all around your head. If you like your curls to be fuller, do this until the hair no longer drips; if you want more gravity to your curls, leave in more water.
9. With the head still tilted forward, let your curls fall freely. Place a palmful of gel in one hand and evenly distribute it to the other hand. Apply the gel evenly throughout the landscape of the hair, making sure you cover all your curls. Starting at the ends, scrunch sections of hair up toward the scalp (visualize that you’re pushing a spring together with both hands, and then releasing it). This method will cultivate or enhance the curl formation.
10. Slowly raise your head to an upright position, look up at the ceiling, and gently shake your hair so your curls fall into their natural position. If it’s a humid day or you have a high halo frizz factor, take more gel and rub it in both hands. Then very gently graze the gel over the top layer of hair so the cuticle will be smooth.
11. To give the curls on the top of your head a little volume, you need to lift the hair at the roots. Our Pik Me Up volumizing piks are designed specifically to support this step. This method releases the top layer of hair from its own weight, allowing it to dry faster and in an even curl pattern from roots to ends. Don’t interrupt the curls while they’re drying or you will disturb them.
12. If you don’t have time to air-dry your hair, you can use a low temperature device like a diffuser, hooded dryer (they’re surprisingly inexpensive and portable), or, if you’re on the go, just put the heater on in your car. This creates the same kind of drying microclimate that you’d get from a hooded dryer.
13. When your hair is completely dry, remove the Pik Me Ups very gently. Lean over, place your hands under your hair and on your scalp and spread your fingers. With the tips of your fingers, very lightly shake your hair at the roots to open up the curls. Note: You can skip this step if you would like to preserve the gel cast.
