2025 is the year your curls are going to thrive. If you’re ready to stop spending so much time on your curls and finally get them under control, then you have to change these 5 things.

I also just tested some products from Rizos Curl for the first time and am sharing my first impressions.

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❌ Soaking your hair daily​
​✅ Light refreshing

The first thing we’re going to stop doing is soaking our hair every day, whether it’s for restyling or washing daily. This change will save you so much time and significantly improve the health of your hair.

This was one of my personal hair resolutions last year, and it made such a difference in my hair’s health. It required a mindset shift—I had to become comfortable with how my hair looked without constant refreshing.

This advice doesn’t apply to those with an oily or very sweaty scalp who need frequent washing because scalp health should always take priority.

However, if your scalp is normal to dry and you’re washing or restyling daily simply because you don’t like how your hair looks, this tip is for you.

Daily soaking can weaken your hair, especially if you’re detangling and restyling each time. It creates a vicious cycle—the more damaged your hair becomes, the less it will hold up between washes. Avoid over-manipulating your hair and try skipping refreshing when possible. To manage frizzy areas or keep hair out of my face, I often use clips or headbands.

When refreshing is necessary, use a small amount of water instead of soaking your hair. I find a spray bottle really helps. How long your hair lasts depends on your wash day routine and the level of hold in your products.

• ​Bouclème Flairosol Mist Spray Bottle​
  ​Buy from Boucleme with code GENA15​
• ​Mini Grip Octopus Clip Spider Jaw Hair Claw Clips 24 Pack 3 cm​
  ​Buy from Amazon​
• ​Set of 2 Zig Zag Black Plastic Sharks Tooth Hair Comb Headband​
  ​Buy from Amazon​

I’ve created an entire video on how to achieve longer-lasting results you can watch here.

If you’ve tried everything and still struggle to reach day two hair, consider working with me through my curl coaching program. Enrollment is now open, more details below.

❌ Using so many styling products​
​✅ Focus on 1-3 products max

The next thing we’re going to stop doing is using too many styling products at once. Instead, try styling with just one product, or three at most.

Curly hair needs two things: moisture and hold. Most curly hair gels are moisturizing enough to use on their own. If they’re not, layer a leave-in conditioner or a curl cream underneath—but not both. Using both isn’t necessary.

If you like your gel but want a boost of volume or extra texture, that’s when you can add in a foam or a hairspray.

However, using a leave-in, curl cream, mousse, and gel all at once isn’t necessary for most curl types. Not only is this approach expensive and overly complicated, but it can also weigh down your hair and reduce your hold. For the strongest hold, stick to using your gel alone.

❌ Ignoring your hair’s needs​
​✅ Pay attention & adjust

This is a big one! Stop ignoring your hair’s needs and start paying closer attention and make adjustments. While I strive to simplify my routines as much as possible, curly hair will require a bit more thought if you really want it to thrive.

Unless you have perfectly healthy hair, you will likely experience a curl problem at some point. Examples include getting buildup because you’ve been using the same thing and never changing up your routine, or your curls become dry because you never deep condition.

Another could be your curls losing their shape and not bouncing up like usual because you haven’t used any protein in your routine. Your hair communicates its needs through how it looks and feels. If you’re not closely paying attention to that, you won’t know what to adjust.

This doesn’t mean you have to spend a ton of time on your hair; it just means you put thought into your wash days and are more intentional. I recommend planning your wash days and tracking your results through my Curly Hair Tracker & Planner spreadsheet.

​Curly Hair Tracker & Planner Spreadsheet​

Through learning and curl education, which is what I strive to provide in my content and my Curl Coaching Program, you’ll be better equipped to diagnose and treat your hair’s problems.

❌ Ruining your curls with friction​
​✅ Protect your hair

If we’re going to start putting more effort into our wash days, we don’t want to ruin all of that with friction. Friction is one of curly hair’s worst enemies and can come from bath towels, our pillowcase, and any surface our hair touches.

I love the Hair Repear Towel to gently scrunch and soak up the excess water. This is a towel designed for hair, so it’s flat and doesn’t have those tiny fibers like a bath towel that cling to hair and create frizz and breakage.

Another way that our curls experience friction is at night, which can cause them to tangle, stretch out, or get frizzy. At a minimum, sleep on a satin pillowcase. If you can wear a bonnet to protect your curls or a silk scarf, that’s even better. This is going to help your curls last longer, save you time, and prevent you from needing to refresh.

• ​Hair RePear Ultimate Hair Towel​
  ​Buy from Amazon​
• ​Satin bonnet with adjustable band​
  ​Buy from Amazon​
• ​Curlmsith Satin Pillowcase​
  ​Buy from Curlsmith​

Avoid wearing your hair up tightly every day. Our curls have memory, and if you slick back your hair in a tight ponytail every day, they’re not going to curl up as much when you do want to wear your curls. When needed, use loose scrunchies or claw clips to secure your hair. This will prevent tension on your hair follicles and breakage.

• ​Curlfriend Collective Basic Besties Scrunchie Duo​
  ​Buy from Curlfriend Collective with code GENA10​
• ​Curlfriend Collective Medium Brunette / Deep Brunette – Hair Match Silk Scrunchies​
  ​Buy from Curlfriend Collective with code GENA10​

❌ Putting off haircuts​
​✅ Get a proper trim regularly

Our 5th habit to break in 2025 is putting off haircuts. If you’re not trimming your curls regularly, you’re not giving your hair the best chance to grow. While your hair may still be growing, you won’t retain that length if you’re letting it break off.

Unless you’re doing absolutely nothing to your hair, you likely need regular trims to keep split ends in check from things like detangling, brush styling, and diffusing. If your hair is damaged or color-treated, trims are even more important to maintain healthy ends.

There’s no one-size-fits-all timeframe for trims, but I go every 4 months. This helps me keep my ends looking full because, with my low-density hair, longer lengths tend to look stringy and sparse. A shorter cut keeps my curls looking fuller and more balanced.

I highly recommend getting a curly cut or, at the very least a regular wet cut but by someone who truly understands curly hair. I hear too many stories of stylists straightening curls before cutting or using thinning shears, which often leaves hair ruined. Your stylist should always be cutting your curls in their natural state for the best results.

Rizos Curls First Impression Review

I first tried the Rizos Biotin Shampoo & Conditioner. This new line features Biotin, Batana Oil, Rosemary Oil, and Oat Protein. These ingredients are said to strengthen hair at the root and promote length.

​Rizos Biotin Shampoo​
​Buy from Amazon​

​Rizos Biotin Conditioner​
​Buy from Amazon​

While I’m skeptical about hair products’ ability to promote growth since they’re rinsed off, I’ll be evaluating how well they perform as regular products. I won’t be addressing the hair growth claims since this is my first use, and I don’t plan to exclusively use these products for months.

They also offer a hair growth serum, but I’m currently using the Living Proof serum and don’t want to interfere with those results.

​Rizos Thickening Foam​
​Buy from Amazon​

​Rizos Light Hold Gel​
​Buy from Amazon​

I also tried the Rizos Thickening Foam, which I applied after washing and conditioning. This claims to be a 2-in-1 treatment and styler to improve hair thickness, reduce breakage, and create volume. Apply to roots and scalp, then brush it through.

I had tried the Rizos Light Hold Gel previously and it’s actually accurate with its hold level. It gives me a light hold, which means I’ll likely get frizz by the end of the day. Apply it by sectioning after the using the foam.

Going back to our first point above, this is not the product you want to use if your curls don’t last. I’m only using it today because I wanted to test the other Rizos products. I also experiment more with lighter hold products in the winter when it’s dry outside because they don’t hold up as well in the summer humidity.

My day 1 results looked good, although it was a bit frizzier than usual. Day 2 still looked good as well but when I tried to refresh lightly to touchup frizz, it just looked worse and made it frizzier. The gel gives nice light hold results, but does not refresh well.

Need Additional Help?

If you’re ready to finally get your curls figured out for 2025, I would love to have you in my group coaching program. Enrollment is open now which gives you immediate access to the community portal where curl coaching has already begun. The live group coaching calls begin mid-January.

This program will help save you time, money, and frustration with your curls. Think of it like having me and a group of curlfriends in your back pocket for support. Over the span of 6 weeks, we’ll take manageable steps to get you a consistent curly hair routine that lasts.

To jump in now, visit the link here. Email (info@genamarie.co) or DM me on Instagram or Facebook if you have any questions or if you’re unsure how it works.

Comment below what your 2025 curl habits are going to be.