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      November 14, 2024 4 min read 2 Comments

      We all know the foundation for healthy curls starts in the shower. Properly cleansing to remove buildup without stripping your hair and hydrating with a nourishing conditioner along with replenishing proteins is the first step to achieving healthy, bouncy curls.

      The next step is styling!

      I'm going to walk you through my styling routine using the new Mystic Aura Strong Hold Styling Gel so you can see how I achieve defined, long-lasting, touchable curls.

      woman with wet curly hair holding a jar of the mystic gel
      I am using just the Mystic Aura Styling Gel for this tutorial on freshly washed hair. I like to apply my styling products on soaking wet hair, so I will reapply water if my hair starts to dry. Other than the gel, I use:
      • A wet brush. Just a simple paddle brush with wide-spaced teeth.
      • Lightweight clips and/or root clips
      • A hair dryer with a diffuser attachment
      woman with wet curly hair sectioned and clipped on top of head
      First, I section my hair and clip it out of the way. This allows me to work the product through in small sections so it is evenly distributed. I can also achieve better volume at the roots by working those sections separately.
      I have developed a sectioning pattern unique to the way my hair grows. I have two huge cow licks on the back of my head that make my hair grow out in different angles. My sectioning method allows me to style so that I reverse that pattern and my hair looks more consistent throughout.
      Learning how to section my hair was a process of trial and error that I have tweaked over time. The way you section your hair may be completely different from how I section my hair.
      woman with wet curly hair holding jar of mystic gel with one hand and dipping the other hand into it
      Once my hair is clipped in large sections, I apply the gel in even smaller sections. I love using gel from a jar because I can use one hand to dip into the gel. I don't use a ton of gel for each section. For my hair length, I gently dip my fingers in to get just enough to work through a small section.
      woman with wet curly hair raking gel through in sections
      I repeat this process throughout my hair. I apply gel to a section by raking it through and evenly distributing it. Then, I use my brush to encourage curl plumps. As I pull the brush through, I keep the edge of my other hand underneath the section toward my roots and bounce the section up and down gently to enhance the curl pattern. I drop it down with the rest of the finished hair and repeat all the way around my head. As I unpin each section, I apply gel and repeat the process.
      The top section is one I pay a little extra attention to; in order to avoid a noticeable part down the middle, I work through along the top in a zig-zag fashion brushing upward and letting the curls fall where they may.
      I also pay close attention to the very front section. This is where the face-framing pieces are. Sometimes a curl can come out a little wonky, so I will use my finger to re-curl it and make sure it's going in the right direction.
      woman with wet curly hair bent over and using a diffuser to dry curls
      Some people like to use a microfiber cloth or a cotton t-shirt to scrunch out extra water. I just use my hands to scrunch through. This step also helps blend all the sections together. Now, it's time to diffuse!
      I start with those front pieces I fixed just how I want them so they set before anything else. Then, I flip my whole head over and hover over the back side of the hair with the difuser. After that, I turn my head from side to side and hover diffuse. Once I start to feel the cast form. I start to diffuse from the tips up, pulsing the diffuser up and down.
      *What is a cast? The cast forms from the gel. This is the "crunchy" feeling. The Mystic Aura Strong Hold Gel forms a hard cast initially, but will scrunch out once dry. I prefer a gel that gives a very definitive cast; this ensures my curls will last for DAYS.*
      woman pinching a curl to see if it is dry or not
      I diffuse my hair until it is 95% dry. At that point, I will put root clips around the hairline to encourage extra volume. I'll also clip the back parts where my cowlicks are to help them stay covered. I leave those clips in and let my hair air dry the rest of the way while I finish getting ready, or take care of some other things.
      To test your hair to see if it is completely dry, pinch a few curl clups to see if you feel any moisture. If so, hit it with the diffuser again or continue to air dry. It should feel pretty crunchy at this point. You do not want to break the cast until it is 100% dry.
      woman with fingers in curly hair at scalp
      When my hair is completely dry, it's time to break the cast! It is magical to see how crunchy curls go to soft, touchable, defined curls with volume in just a few seconds.
      I start at the roots and dig my fingers in and shake until I feel it start to loosen. Then, I scrunch around my head until I don't feel any more crunchy parts.
      That's it! I'm ready to go!
      That's how the Curly-haired Alchemist styles these curls!
      If you have any questions, please feel free to comment below or email me angela@silverstoneapothecary.com

      Want to find the perfect match for your unique curls? Click the button below to take the 2 minute quiz for your customized hair care routine.


      2 Responses

      Jill
      Jill

      March 25, 2025

      Thank you for such a detailed tutorial. Diffusing is still a challenge for me but these steps help tremendously. Your hair is so gorgeous!

      Jacob Aimonetti
      Jacob Aimonetti

      November 14, 2024

      Do you ever use curl cream and the styling gel? Are they mutually exclusive?

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