How to properly shape your curls: essential styling products, techniques and tips

December 11, 2025By L'art des Boucles

Complete Routine • Step “Styling”

How to properly define your curls: creams, gels, mousses & techniques to adopt

We often talk about shampoo and hair masks, but it's leave-in styling products (and the right application techniques) that truly reveal the shape of your curls. 🌸

In this article, we review how to choose your styling cream , which gel to use depending on the desired result, how to boost volume with mousse and how to achieve plopping for defined curls until the next day.

🌪 Why the "Styling" step is just as important as shampooing

The Styling step comes after you've washed and conditioned your hair. This is what allows you to:

Form the loop and reveal its natural shape;
Limit frizz by maintaining hydration in the fiber;
Protect the lengths from friction, pollution, and weather;
Bringing bounce, shine and softness to everyday life.

Key takeaway: a good shampoo and hair mask alone are not enough to achieve beautiful curls. Without styling products, curls often remain frizzy, dull, and undefined.

🧴 Choosing the right styling cream for your curl type

Styling cream is the foundation of your defining routine: it hydrates, coats, and protects the hair fiber. Choose it according to the thickness and density of your hair.

Fine, wavy or curly hair

Milk'In Styling Cream – In Haircare

Fluid, lightweight texture, perfect for defining without weighing hair down . Ideal if your hair gets greasy quickly or easily loses volume.

Discover Milk'In

“Normal” curly hair

Kurl Nectar – The Secrets of Loly

A must-have for curls seeking definition, bounce, and hydration . Perfect for hair that's neither too fine nor too thick.

See Kurl Nectar

Thick hair

For My Curls Hair Milk – Jia Paris

A richer texture that provides comfort, nourishment and discipline to voluminous curls and often frizzy lengths.

Discover hair milk

Dosage tip: always start with a small amount of cream, adding more as needed. Too much product can weigh down the roots and give a greasy look.

✨ Styling gels: choosing the right hold for your curls

The gel is applied after the cream . It seals in moisture and helps hold curls. You can adjust the hold intensity depending on the desired result.

Strong hold: ultra-defined & long-lasting curls

Strong hold

Hibiscus Jelly – Kalia Nature

Ideal for curls that loosen quickly. Provides excellent definition while delivering hydration.

See the honey jelly

Strong hold & rebound

Super Hold Styler – Bouclème

A best-seller for defining curls and keeping them in place for several days, with a very pronounced bounce .

Discover Boucléme gel

Medium fit: definition + flexibility

Adjustable mounting

Boost Curl – Loly's Secrets

A cult-favorite moisturizing gel, perfect for defining without stiffening . It suits many curl types.

See Boost Curl

Definition + brightness

Curl’N Go – The Secrets of Loly

Ideal gel for a bouncy and shiny effect . Very practical for curls that lack hold at the ends.

Discover Curl'N Go

Light hold: natural movement & “bare hair” effect

Very natural effect

Vegan Curl Gel – Cut By Fred

Perfect if you want to tame frizz while maintaining a soft feel.

See the Vegan Curl Gel

The “double jelly”: for better hold and definition, you can layer two jellies: for example Boost Curl all over your hair, wrap your hair in our ultra-soft towel to plopp, then, before drying, add a little Super Hold Styler or hibiscus jelly by scrunching.

☁️ Styling mousses: the volumizing ally for curly hair

Styling mousse is ideal if you're looking for root volume and a very lightweight finish. It can be used:

alone, on fine or slightly wavy hair;
or at the end of the routine , after cream + jelly, to boost volume.

Air volume

Volumizing Mousse – Curl

Provides immediate volume at the roots, without weighing down the lengths. Ideal for fine hair.

See the Boucléme foam

Sculpted loops

Cloud Fusion Styling Mousse – Les Secrets de Loly

Provides structure and lightness , with a supple and glossy finish. Perfect to complement the cream + gel routine.

Discover Cloud Fusion

💦 Morning hydrating & refresh sprays

Between washes, the goal is to reactivate the shape of the curls without overloading them with products.

Daily hydration

Hydrating Spray – Jia Paris

Ideal for reviving curls daily, adding moisture and limiting frizz without a stiff effect.

See the moisturizing spray

Reform the loops

Curl Activator – Centifolia

Allows you to redefine the curl upon waking, especially if the lengths are a little flattened or dull after the night.

Discover the activator

👐 The right techniques for shaping your curls perfectly

1) Distributing the products with the definition brush

After applying your cream and gel to thoroughly wet hair, use the L'Art des Boucles Defining Brush to:

distribute the products evenly;
create pretty, well-defined highlights;
to limit knots and breakage.

See the definition brush

2) The scrunch: the essential gesture

The scrunch technique involves lifting the lengths of hair towards the scalp with open palms, then gently squeezing the curls from bottom to top to help them form.

This step should be repeated after each styling product (cream, gel, mousse) and also when drying.

3) Plopping with the Ultra Soft Towel

Plopping is a very gentle pre-drying technique, ideal for gaining volume and definition:

after applying your products, place your Ultra Soft Towel flat;
"Fall" your curls to the center by tilting your head;
fasten the towel around your head like a turban, without tightening;
Leave on for 10 to 20 minutes before allowing to air dry or use a diffuser.

Discover the ultra-soft towel

🌀 Example of a complete routine for properly shaping your curls

Fine, wavy/curly hair

Light & volumizing routine

1️⃣ Gentle shampoo adapted to your scalp
2️⃣ Moisturizing detangling conditioner
3️⃣ Milk'In Cream in small quantities
4️⃣ Vegan Curl Gel or Boost Curl on the lengths
5️⃣ Volumizing root mousse if needed
6️⃣ Plopping for 10–15 min, then drying with a diffuser

Curly/frizzy hair

Routine definition & outfit

1️⃣ Shampoo + Nourishing Conditioner
2️⃣ Kurl Nectar or Jia Paris Milk on the lengths
3️⃣ Boost Curl all over the hair
4️⃣ Apply a little Curl Defining Gel or honey jelly to the areas that are sagging
5️⃣ Dry with a diffuser, without touching the curls during drying
6️⃣ The next day: moisturizing spray or curl activator + scrunch

❓ FAQ – How to properly shape your curls

Do I have to use all the products (cream, jelly, mousse, spray) every time?

No. The base remains a cream and gel . The foam is a bonus for volume, and the spray is a great way to refresh between washes. Adjust according to your needs.

How to avoid the cardboard effect with frost?

Use a reasonable amount, work the product well into the lengths, then scrunch your curls once completely dry to break the slight “cast”.

I don't have much time, what should I prioritize?

Focus on: styling cream adapted to your hair type + a gel , then a good drying (air dry or diffuser) without touching the curls.

Why don't my curls hold despite using products?

Several possibilities: hair may be weighed down (too many nourishing products), lack of gel/hold-up, or insufficient drying . Also check that your hair is well-hydrated beforehand (masks, conditioner).

Are you still undecided about which cream or gel is ideal for your curls?

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