How to Layer Curl Products: The Right Order for Your Curls
How to Layer Curl Products in the Right Order (Based on Your Hair Finish™)
If your curls look crunchy, greasy, flat, or frizzy no matter how many products you throw at them, I have bad news and good news. The bad news is you’re probably layering your curl products in the wrong order. The odds that you’re using the wrong amount of product are also extremely high. I see it in my comments and DMs every single day.
The good news is that it’s not your products. It’s your order. Once you layer for your Hair Finish™ instead of copying whatever routine went viral this week, your wash days get simpler and your curls last longer.
Below I’m breaking down the exact layering order for soft, medium, and rough Hair Finish™ curls. At the end, I’m revealing this month’s Curls Monthly mystery product, which can honestly be your entire routine if you want something super simple 💛
Quick answer: Layer curl products from lightest moisture to strongest hold, and finish once your hair is dry. Rough Hair Finish™ curls do best with creams, then gels, then oil on dry hair (CGO). Soft Hair Finish™ curls do best with a leave-in, then mousse, then hairspray (LMH). Medium Hair Finish™ curls pick between the two based on whether they want volume or definition.
Jump to:
- Do you need both a leave-in and a curl cream?
- What is the CGO method?
- Product order for soft Hair Finish™
- Product order for medium Hair Finish™
- Product order for rough Hair Finish™
- How much product should you use?
- The October mystery product reveal
- How to use shimmer cream on curly hair
- FAQ
Not sure what your Hair Finish™ is yet? Take my free Hair Finish Quiz. You’ll get your exact finish plus the five products I’d recommend for your wash day, so you’re not standing in the aisle confused.
Do You Need Both a Leave-In Conditioner and a Curl Cream?
No. This is the biggest layering mistake I see on TikTok and Instagram. Curly girls use a leave-in and a curl cream because they think they’re supposed to, then wonder why their hair feels heavy by day two.
Leave-in conditioners and curl creams have basically the same ingredients. Using both is putting double of the same thing on your head. Usually that just means too much product.
Here’s the difference, so you can pick one:
- Leave-in conditioners are usually lighter and don’t have holding ingredients.
- Curl creams are usually a tad heavier and have a little hold built in.
Pick one or the other and your routine instantly gets lighter.
What Is the CGO Method for Curly Hair?
The CGO method is my signature way of layering curl products. If you’ve watched my videos for a while, you’ve probably heard me talk about it.
- C is for creams. Leave-in conditioners or curl creams go on first.
- G is for gels. This includes any holding product: gels, custards, mousses, or foams.
- O is for oils. Oils only go on when your hair is 100% dry.
I still use CGO myself. Since I created the Hair Finish™ method, though, I’ve realized that not everyone needs every step. Some curls do better with a completely different order. That’s where your Hair Finish™ comes in. If you want the full rundown on finishes, watch my Hair Finish™ explainer 👇
What Order Should Soft Hair Finish™ Layer Curl Products In?
Soft Hair Finish™ curls are soft to the touch, glisten in the sun, and get weighed down easily. If that’s you, your whole routine should be built around staying lightweight.
Step one is flipping your wash day: condition, then shampoo. Conditioning first lets you get the softness without the weighdown. My friend who also has a soft finish takes it one step further. She calls it sandwiching: shampoo, condition, then shampoo again. Since I always recommend shampooing twice anyway, I think it’s genius. It won’t be for every wash day, but don’t knock it until you try it.
For styling, you’ll use what I call the LMH method:
- L, leave-in conditioner. Go super lightweight, with no heavy butters. Spray leave-ins are often the best match for soft finishes.
- M, mousse. Mousse or foam both work here. The words get used pretty interchangeably.
- H, hairspray. Add it all over once your hair is styled, before you dry. You can add a bit more once it’s dry if you want.
“But Barbie, I need gel to hold my hair.” Bestie, I’m going to challenge you a little. Gel will hold, yes. It also tends to add unnecessary shine and weigh soft hair down over the week because it’s heavier. If you love your gel routine, keep it. This isn’t gospel truth. I just find that working with your hair instead of against it makes your style last longer.
How Should Medium Hair Finish™ Layer Curl Products?
Medium Hair Finish™ curls get to choose their own adventure. Start by shampooing twice, then condition.
From there, the order depends on the result you want:
- Want big, voluminous hair? Follow the soft finish LMH method.
- Want more definition and less frizz? Follow the CGO method.
- Want a bit of both? Mix them. Try CGH: creams, gels, then hairspray instead of oil.
This is where Intuitive Curl Care really shines 🌀 Notice what your hair looks like at the end of each wash day and adjust the next one. If frizz is your main battle, my post on why your curls are still frizzy even with products breaks down exactly what’s going on.
What Is the Best Product Order for Rough Hair Finish™?
Rough Hair Finish™ curls tend to feel coarse, dry, or frizzy and can look dull. Moisture and hold are your best friends.
Here’s your order:
- Shampoo twice, then condition.
- Apply styling products to dripping, soaking wet hair. You’ll probably need to rewet as you go. Treat water like an ingredient.
- Follow CGO. Creams are so good for you. For the G step, you can even layer two gels, or a gel and a mousse.
- Oil only once you’re 100% dry. This adds shine and keeps your wash day intact.
The soaking wet part is the step most rough-finish girlies skip. It makes a big difference in how well your products spread and hold.
How Much Curl Product Should You Actually Use?
Order is half the battle. Amount is the other half. People constantly ask me if they need different products for thick or thin hair. The answer is no.
Pick your products based on your Hair Finish™, then adjust the amount.
- Super thin hair: use as little of each product as possible. Like a tiny amount. Then add a little more (or less) next wash day.
- Super thick hair: do the opposite. Use a lot of product and adjust from there.
- Long or short hair: same deal. Test and adjust.
The products themselves will work as long as you picked your finish correctly. If you’re still unsure, the Hair Finish Quiz is free.
What Is Curl Keeper Style & Scrunch Finishing Shimmer Cream?
Okay, the October mystery product is officially revealed. It’s the Curl Keeper Style & Scrunch Finishing Shimmer Cream. Yes, you read that right. Shimmer cream ✨
It actually gives your hair a little glisten, which is so fun. October, shimmer, Halloween, dress up. The timing is perfect. If you missed earlier Curl Keeper surprises, catch up on the Curl Keeper mystery reveal here.
Here’s what’s in it that I care about:
- Mica reflects light to create the shimmer. I’d never seen it in a curl product before this one.
- Jojoba oil adds shine and moisture. It’s the second ingredient on the list. curlkeeper
- VP/VA Copolymer is a holding ingredient, and it’s in the top four. So this cream has real hold, which is unusual for a cream. curlkeeper
It’s lightweight, adds shine while defining, reduces frizz, and gives a polished look that still feels natural. Anyone can use it ingredient-wise. I’m especially excited for my definition-desired girlies to try it.
How Do You Use Shimmer Cream on Curly Hair?
Quick heads up: Curl Keeper positions this as a finisher, applied to damp or dry curls on your mid-lengths and ends to boost shine. That works. I recommend using it as a styling product instead, as the C or L step of your routine. That’s where I think it really shines. curlkeeper
Here’s how I’d use it:
- Apply it to soaking wet hair. Rake it in, then brush it through so it touches every strand. I do this with every leave-in and curl cream so I don’t end up with random frizzy patches.
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Decide how much hold you want.
- Big hair? Use it on its own as a one-and-done product. Scrunch and air dry.
- More definition? Layer a gel or mousse on top. My favorite pairing is Curl Keeper Ultimate Frizz Control. That combo makes a very ideal wash day 💕
- Finish once you’re dry. Use an oil or a hairspray depending on your finish. For soft and medium finishes trying LMH, I really like Curl Keeper’s spray gel.
Want to watch me walk through all of this? The full breakdown is on my YouTube channel.
FAQ
Can I use a leave-in conditioner and a curl cream together?
You can, but you don’t need to. They have basically the same ingredients, so using both usually means too much product. Pick the leave-in if you want lighter and no hold, or the curl cream if you want a little more weight and hold.
Should I condition before or after I shampoo?
Most curls should shampoo twice, then condition. If you have a soft Hair Finish™ and get weighed down easily, try conditioning first, then shampooing. Or try the sandwich: shampoo, condition, shampoo.
When should I put oil on curly hair?
Only when your hair is 100% dry. Oil is the last step of the CGO method. It adds shine and helps keep your wash day intact. If you have a soft finish, a hairspray is usually a better last step than oil.
Can shimmer cream be used on its own?
Yes. Curl Keeper Style & Scrunch has holding ingredients, so you can use it alone if you like big, soft hair. If you want more definition, layer a gel or mousse on top.
Does my hair thickness change which products I should use?
No. Choose your products based on your Hair Finish™, then use less for thin hair and more for thick hair. Test and adjust each wash day.
Stop Guessing Your Product Order
Layering gets easy once you know your Hair Finish™ and have products that actually match it. That’s exactly what I do inside Curls Monthly. Every month I pick products like this shimmer cream and teach you how to use them for your curls. This month’s box is the perfect place to start 🫶 Join Curls Monthly here.