What does a curl sponge do?
The curl sponge, aka the hair twist sponge, is a hair tool that has holes and grooves which are used to enhance the curls, coils, and twists throughout your mane. They're typically available in a wide range of shapes, including oval, round, or rectangle and have holes of different sizes.
Curling sponges work best when used on damp hair. If you use a curling sponge on dry hair it could lead to hair snapping and breakage.
Generally speaking, sponges that have small holes will work best on really short hair. These sponges produce uniform, tight, small coils and/or loose curls, depending on your individual natural hair texture. On longer hair, hair sponges that have larger holes will produce larger curls or coils.
The holes and the movement you create with your hands will curl and twist sections of your hair. Using a hair sponge takes less time than it would create this style by hand. The hair sponge also works best on damp hair. It is best to apply your favorite gel or cream, or water before styling.
A curl sponge hairstyle can last for a week or two, depending on how you maintain the style.
Gently rub the sponge (without pressing) in a circular motion on an area of your hair. Each hole will "twist" your hair into a perfect coil. When using the sponge, you'll want to use it on moisturized, detangled, slightly damp hair for easier motion.
Dirty hair can hold a curl better than squeaky clean hair, and it'll save you a lot of prep time, too. If your hair feels greasy, start with a dry shampoo. Use a mousse and heat protectant before you blow-dry in order to give the hair more hold. Prepping with a setting spray is also great for locking in your curls.
After using the brushable hairspray, spritz on some texturizing spray to give your hair extra hold, definition, and volume. If you're noticing that these products aren't quite enough to keep your curls in place, lightly spray on a strong hairspray for additional support and a more firm hold.
The size of the sponge itself matters for a few reasons. If you have a lot of hair, you will want a larger size. For shorter hair, a smaller sponge should suffice. You also want to consider the size of your hands.
Always be sure to leave the last inch or two of hair not curled – this is key to getting that messy look! Hold your hair on the wand for 5-10 seconds and the slowly let the curl drop into your hand as you let it go. Repeat this step until your entire head is curled. This step should not take long.
How many times a week should you do the Curly Girl Method?
For curly hair textures, washing should take place once every 10 days with a co-wash once a week. For coily hair textures, Massey recommends cleansing as little as possible and opting for co-washes instead (which is a practice I've adopted).
If your next-day curls still have yesterday's curl cream throughout, then Arriola says a simple water spritz could be all that's needed to reactivate the product. Scrunch the curls before letting them air dry, or you can speed things up by drying them with a diffuser on a cool setting.
“If there is still moisture in the hair when you use a curling iron, it will not curl as well, and the curls will eventually drop out,” says Huffnagle. To make sure your hair is fully dry before you curl it, blast it with cool air from your blow-dryer, then run your fingers through.
You have too much product in your hair
Just like adding too little product during the hair curling process, adding too much can be a reason why your hair won't hold a curl. Always start with a smaller portion, three to four spritzes of hairspray or a small amount of gel or cream, and then slowly add more as needed.
Well, hard water can leave curly hair coated in a film of mineral buildup which can weigh curls down, stretch them out and cause them to fall flat. To restore the spring back into your curls you need to remove these minerals and that's where Color Wow's Dream Filter comes in to play.