If you’re looking to achieve smooth, frizz-free, bouncy and defined curls, you NEED to try my Ribbon Curl Technique. This specific style of brush styling, including the sections and the way the brush is used was coined by me and inspired by the effect that scissors have on a ribbon to achieve bouncy, clumped, high-definition curls on ALL curl patterns!!
Brush Styling is a method of setting/shaping your curls into your desired result. Similar to how someone might want to use a round brush for a bouncy blowout, someone with curly hair may want to use a styling brush to define the look of their curls, add bounce, and smooth frizz. But just like any technique, it takes practice and skill to nail the look, so follow the below steps for best results.
Brush styling is done in your routine when you have applied your Prep and Style products. Click here for my Blog on Styling 101
Depending on how much hold you prefer, you can apply your gel before you Ribbon Curl, or after.
Benefit of adding gel before: The stronger hold you like, and the more frizz and flyaways you have, I recommend adding gel before brush styling. The curl results are high definition, more separation. Apply it to your hair and style with the Ribbon Curls Technique for extra curl definition and hold.
Benefit of adding gel after: The gel creates a shell around the curl that protects without creating too much crunch. The curl results are chunky, soft and fluffy. Apply it by gently glazing it over your wet, defined curls to give hold and scrunch to finish.
*If using a mousse, I recommend scrunching it in after you Ribbon Curl Style.*
The most important rules of brush styling using this method is
Prep the hair first by applying a leave-in conditioner/cream product and detangling using a detangling hairbrush. It is important to note that Styling Brushes that we may reach for to execute this look are great for defining curls but not for detangling hair. See my blog on different hair brushes to understand the difference!
Make sure the hair is evenly saturated with water. The hair does not have to be soaking wet to style, but you want to make sure water is evenly distributed from root to tip. Keep a spray bottle of water handy and use as needed!
This technique is best achieved by splitting your hair into 2 sections. I like to use alligator clips to keep my sections clean.
Clip up half of your hair, sectioning the top (hair above your temples and your crown) from the bottom (back and sides)
*insert sectioning*
This is important so we can style the top of our hair separately from the back and sides since this area grows out of our heads at a different angle. For the best volume, movement and definition, we want to style by elevating our subsections of hair 90* off your head.
TIP: To easily part your hair, slide your finger along your scalp. This is especially easy if you have long nails. Alternatively, you can use a tail comb.
Clean sections will keep everything neat and prevent you from grabbing the wrong hair so you’re not going over the same sections multiple times.
Take vertical sections parallel to your face hairline to style. The reason for this is because the curls will be able to stack on top of one another better (as opposed to styling horizontal partings/brushing downward), helping you achieve more volume and movement.
It’s also faster and easier to do this than take horizontal sections as you do not have to clip up your next piece of hair.
WHICH DIRECTION DO YOU BRUSH?
Towards your face or away from your face? Amanda @itsamandaguido did an experiment, testing this:
There are different ways you can break up this horseshoe section, and you can decide that based on where you want your hair to fall; ie. side part, middle part, no part/ flip side-to-side.
THE KEY! Is to break through your parting on a diagonal, like so:
The following hair goals will help you determine which technique is right for you:
The first thing is to confuse the parts by brushing the hair in every direction. I like to work from the crown (back) to the hairline (front).
Then, the flow of sections should look like this:
Working in this herringbone type of flow will allow you to flip your curls wherever you want them to go once the hair is dry for a more organic look.
Inspired by the foiling pattern, diagonal sectioning is the king when it comes to diffusing lines whether that is when highlighting or parting your hair.
@manesbymell Reply to @yum_yumteheheheheheh tips from a hairstylist: how-to confuse the roots for no/a new parting! #denmanbrushtutorial #curlyhairtutorial #curly ♬ original sound - Manes by Mell
On larger heads, this bricklay pattern also works very well.
If you like a precise parting, make sure you set that in place while the hair is wet and imagine you (side/middle), you should still style up and off the head to allow the roots to curl well.
See this video for advice on how to style your bangs!
@manesbymell Styling curly bangs with a BRUSH, not finger coiling, to frame the face #curltok #curlyhairtutorial #curlybangs #manesbymell ♬ Influencers - Chris Alan Lee
Scrunch! This will help the curls spring back into place – but don’t scrunch too much. The more and more you touch the hair while it is drying, the greater the potential for frizz.
I hope you found this helpful! Thanks for reading and watching. You can find more useful tips in this video here:
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