What is a Curl Cast? {VIDEO}
What is a Curl Cast? How is a Curl Cast Created? What’s the point?
These are the questions I will answer for you today!
At the end of the post, I’ll tell you how to test this out with products you already have or that won’t cost much.
Here’s your Crash course to give you the general idea:
What is a Curl Cast?
When you hear the word ‘cast’, you think of that hard plaster thing they put on your body to protect a broken bone to allow to heal…and that’s where I want your brain to start. A Curl Cast is basically creating a hard ‘CAST’ around a curl clump to protect it while it dries. The goal is to keep in that cast while it dries to protect the curl and lock in the moisture we added to our hair during the cleansing, conditioning, or refreshing process.
How is a Curl Cast Created?
Step 1: Wet your hair.
Wet your hair. Make sure it’s VERY wet. You may do this during the cleansing and conditioning product.
Step 2: Add filler.
If you don’t have a filler (this could be a texturizer or curl cream or leave-in conditioner), just use the conditioner you already have. Just don’t rinse it out.
I use Innersense Inner Peace Whipped Creme Texturizer. I am also using my Denman brush to distribute the product.
Step 3: Add Gel.
If you don’t have a filler (this could be a texturizer or curl cream or leave-in conditioner), just use the conditioner you already have. Just don’t rinse it out.
Manipulate/form curls as desired. You may or may not need/want to do this. This will depend on your hair and desired result.
Step 4: Air Dry or Diffuse.
I prefer air drying, but this is simply a matter of personal preference. Whatever you do, don’t touch your! The goal is for the hair & gel cast to form as hard as possible, and UNTOUCHED until 100% dry!
I am using the BedHead Curls in Check Diffuser. Click here for my review of this product. We will cover diffusing more in depth in a future post. Be sure to subscribe to #ThirstyThursday so you don’t miss that post!
Step 5: Break the Cast.
You’ll hear the term ‘scrunch out the crunch’ in the curly community. Be sure to put something on your hands before you do this: hair oil, water, a little more gel, something – just don’t do it with dry hands. There are several methods to breaking the cast, but we’re just going to look at the basic scrunch it out today. You may also want to gently rake & shake your finger tips along your scalp to encourage root volume and break apart the clumps that have formed at the scalp.
The best way to break your cast is to gently cup the curl clumps from the bottom, and bring them to your scalp giving them a gently pulse/squeeze at the scalp.
I use Ecoslay Orange Marmalade. This doesn’t always give me a hard cast, but can if my hair is wet enough.
What’s the Point of a Curl Cast?
A curl cast keeps the moisture you worked so hard to get into your hair locked in and will give you bounce and definition throughout the day. And the best part? It will protect those locks until your next wash day! How you ask? The simple act of spritzing a little water on your hair will reactivate your gel and give you yet another amazing hair day! Just be sure to protect your hair while you sleep with a scarf and a silk or satin pillowcase.
If you’re still in the exploring stages of your curly journey, do this:
- Try creating a curl cast with what you have on hand.
- If you purchase gel to experiment with, don’t spend much. LA looks is a great ‘tester’, but can be very drying and is not typically recommended as ‘curl friendly’ and good for your hair over time. You will, though, get a great cast.
- Experiment with a few sections of hair rather than your entire head, especially if you have long or dense hair! It does take a little practice.
- Keep in mind, the most important part of this process is not the gel…it’s the water! It’s always the water. Read more about water and your curls HERE.
Subscribers to this series will be entered to win a hair care package from me! Details coming soon!
Much Love to you and yours!
Cindi
Self proclaimed Godmother of the Messy Bun Mafia.
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