Is It My Product or My Technique? Unlocking Wash Day Success for Curly and Wavy Hair (Especially for Beginners!)

Starting your curly or wavy hair journey can feel like stepping into a whole new world. There’s excitement, there’s YouTube tutorials, there are endless product recommendations… and then there’s your first few wash days that don’t go quite how you hoped.

If you've ever looked in the mirror after wash day and thought, "Why doesn’t my hair look like those curls on Instagram?"—you’re not alone. It’s a super common question:
Is it my product, or is it my technique?

Let’s break that down in a simple, beginner-friendly way so you can start getting results that actually feel good.

What Makes a “Successful” Wash Day?

For most people with curly or wavy hair, a good wash day usually means:

• Soft, hydrated hair

• Defined curls or waves

• Minimal frizz

• Hold that lasts at least a day or two

If you’re getting dryness, frizz, or lifeless curls, it doesn’t always mean your hair is “bad” or “unmanageable.” It just means there’s something off—and it’s usually fixable.

It Might Be Your Product If...

What you use on your hair makes a huge difference—especially for naturally textured hair, which tends to be drier and more sensitive to certain ingredients. Not all products that say “for curls” are actually curl-safe or moisturizing.

Here are some red flags that your product might not be working for you:

• Your hair feels dry, brittle, or sticky after styling 

• Your curls or waves don’t clump together or hold their shape

• You notice flaking, buildup, or a greasy film on your hair

So what should you look for?

Choose products that focus on moisture and hold—especially lightweight leave-ins, curl creams, and gels designed for curly or wavy textures. But be aware: Just because a product is labeled “curl-friendly” doesn’t mean it’s actually good for your hair. Some still contain harsh sulfates, silicones, or drying alcohols that can cause frizz, dryness, and buildup over time.

Reading ingredient labels is a great habit to build early on—but we know it can feel overwhelming when you're new. A great beginner tool to help with this is Curlsbot.com. You can paste in a product’s ingredient list, and it’ll quickly tell you whether it’s curly-girl-friendly or if it contains potentially problematic ingredients. Super helpful when you're standing in a store or shopping online!

It Might Be Your Technique If...

Even with the best products, if you’re not applying them the right way—or not handling your hair gently—your results may not turn out how you want.

Signs it could be your technique:

• You’re applying products on dry hair

• You’re not sectioning your hair when applying product

• You touch your hair while it’s drying (this creates frizz!)

• You’re unsure when and how to “scrunch,” “plop,” or “diffuse”

Beginner tips to try:

1. Apply on wet or damp hair. Styling on soaking wet hair helps distribute product evenly and lock in moisture.

2. Work in sections. This helps ensure each curl gets what it needs, especially if you have thick or dense hair.

3. Let it dry completely. Whether air drying or diffusing, wait until your hair is 100% dry before touching it.

4. Learn to “scrunch out the crunch.” Some gels will leave a firm cast while drying. That’s normal! Once it’s dry, gently scrunch your hair to soften it and reveal defined curls or waves underneath.

So… Is It Product or Technique?

Honestly? It’s usually both.

Think of your hair like a recipe—great ingredients (products) are important, but so is how you cook (technique). If either one is off, the results won’t be quite right.

That’s why it's so important to:

• Be patient with yourself

• Try one change at a time

• Take notes or photos of each wash day to learn what worked and what didn’t

Final Thoughts for Beginners

Starting your curly or wavy hair journey can be frustrating at first—but it gets easier. The key is not giving up after one or two "bad" hair days. You’re learning something new, and it takes a few tries to figure out what your hair actually loves.

Stick with it. Your texture is beautiful, and with a little practice (and some trial and error), your wash days will start to feel less like a mystery—and more like a celebration of your natural hair.