Do you really need different products for your exact hair type? That question came up over and over in today’s live Q&A, and the answer surprised a lot of people. I answered your pre-submitted curl questions in real time, covering how gels actually differ, what to do when your hair has mixed textures, why a crispy gel cast isn’t damaging your hair, and more. Watch the replay below.

Livestream Replay

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Below is a recap of everything we covered, plus the products I recommended during the stream.

Topics We Covered with Timestamps

Below are the timestamps that you can use to navigate the replay.

0:00 – Welcome + how this live Q&A works
4:47 – Products for dense, coarse, coily hair (how gels actually differ)
14:20 – Choosing products when you have mixed textures
20:53 – “I’ve tried everything and it’s not working” – my troubleshooting process
27:00 – Gel feels crispy and brittle – is it too much protein?
35:21 – Lightweight leave-in + prep product recommendations
38:40 – Styling + sleep protection for short, chin-length hair
42:51 – The mousse that survived summer humidity
44:00 – Why I use a heat protectant at the prep step
46:50 – Can you layer leave-in + mousse + cream + gel?
49:25 – How to tame halo frizz (live demo)
51:55 – How to tie a silk scarf (step by step)
56:30 – How to put on a bonnet so it actually stays

Some of Your Questions, Answered

“Which products do you recommend for very dense, low porosity, coarse, coily hair? I have multiple textures, but that’s my most difficult.”​
Your shampoo and conditioner don’t change based on hair type, so focus on your gel. Before I recommend products to any of my clients, I teach them how gels differ, because I don’t just hand you a shopping list — you need to understand the why so you can shop on your own. Gels differ in hold, conditioning level, texture, and slip. Everyone should use strong hold, and texture vs. slip is the deciding factor. Coarse, coily hair usually needs slip for manageability, so I recommended the Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Stronger Hold Gel or AG Liquid Effects, used alone first to confirm you get hold.

“How do I choose products when my hair doesn’t fit neatly into any category? The bottom layer is soft, the top layer is rough, some strands are coarse and some are very fine, and I get fairy knots at the ends.”​
Treat your hair as the average between the two finishes and go off your preferences. This is where I’d go back and forth with a client: if you tell me you can’t tolerate the feeling of texture, use the slippery gels above. If you want maximum longevity and volume, go the texturizing route with something like the Curlsmith Fragrance-Free Strong Hold Gel. Use the same gel all over rather than mixing products for different sections. And those fairy knots mean it’s time for a professional trim.

“Can you recommend a shampoo, conditioner, and gel for thick, coarse, wiry, high porosity, frizzy, wavy hair? My current routine is doing very little to soften my hair, reduce frizz, or provide a cast, and I’ve already tried changing my technique.”​
The routine you shared with me actually looked right for your hair type on paper, which is exactly why I wouldn’t start with new products. First, identify what you’re most unhappy with: frizz? Longevity? Volume? We work on this in the program — how to observe and describe your hair — because I can’t help you fix it if we don’t know what you’re trying to change. From there, rule out application before repurchasing anything. This is why I watch my clients style: they’ll tell me they’ve tried everything, and then I spot something small such as how the gel didn’t get applied evenly. Small details like water level and gel amount are usually the missing piece, and they’re nearly impossible to catch on yourself mid-routine. If the gel truly won’t hold no matter how it’s applied, then move to a stronger, more texturizing one.

“I have fine, soft, high porosity hair. The Joico Joigel left my hair very crispy and brittle, even after breaking the cast. Could it be too much protein for me?”​
No, and this is a big misconception. That crispy feeling is the JoiGel’s texture and hold doing their job, not damage, and protein washes off anyway. The bigger questions I’d ask you as a client: did you get the results you wanted, and can you tolerate the feeling? I never tell a client she has to live with hair that feels terrible — we work backward. Also, you can have hold and a softer feel. That’s what gels like the Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Stronger Hold Gel or AG Liquid Effects give you. But if those slippery gels aren’t giving you enough hold, that’s when you need texture, and the feeling is the trade-off. You can soften it with a lightweight leave-in underneath or a small amount of oil on top, knowing both may reduce hold. Refining those trade-offs is exactly what the ongoing feedback loop in coaching is for.

“I have fine hair. Can I use a leave-in that’s super light but not watery?”​
For very fine hair, I actually recommend the watery sprays: the Living Proof Leave-In Conditioning Spray is the most lightweight option and what most of my fine, soft-finish clients use. If you want something creamier, the Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Leave-In Conditioner is a drugstore option, used sparingly. The Curlsmith Miracle Shield is thicker in consistency but lightweight in conditioning, with heat protection built in.

“I have wavy, curly, fine, chin-length hair. I need styling techniques and sleep protection, but I can’t put my hair up on top of my head like everyone with long hair.”​
Rake, lift, scrunch. Evenly rake in products, lift hair away from the scalp, and finish with scrunching, leaning far to the side to scrunch all the way to the root. I’ve coached plenty of short-hair clients, including pixie cuts, and I’ve often cut ten steps out of their routines — you likely don’t need brush styling beyond distributing product. For sleep, a silk or satin pillowcase alone often works better than forcing short hair into a bonnet or scarf.

“My biggest issue is halo frizz. I always feel like I need a serum to lay it down, even on day one.”​
A serum isn’t the fix. Oils weigh frizz down temporarily but don’t actually tame it — there’s a difference between weighing frizz down and taming it with hold. Instead, mix a little gel with water in your palms and physically press and tuck the flyaways in, using your hands like a comb. This is one of the refresh strategies I teach my clients. Do it after diffusing or as a refresh step. I demo this briefly in the livestream replay.

Products Mentioned

• ​Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Stronger Hold Gel​
• ​Curlsmith Fragrance-Free Strong Hold Gel​
• ​AG Liquid Effects Medium Hold Weightless Styling Gel​
• ​Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Flash Freeze Gel​
• ​Joico Joigel Firm Styling Gel​
• ​Wella EIMI Volume Extra Volume​
• ​AG ULTRADYNAMICS Extra-Firm Finishing Spray​
• ​Living Proof Leave-In Conditioning Spray​
• ​Curlsmith Miracle Shield Heat Protection Spray​
• ​Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Leave-In Conditioner​
• ​Curlfriend Collective Fit Me Right Silk Bonnet​
• ​Curlsmith Vegan Silk Scarf (2023 Design)​
• ​Curlsmith Satin Pillowcase​

Want Personalized Help with Your Own Curls?

A live Q&A is a great way to get general guidance, but there’s a real limit to what I can do when I can’t see your hair.

In my Group Curl Coaching Program, I actually watch you style, diffuse, and refresh in real time. I can see what your hands are doing, what your products are doing, and give you feedback in the moment, not just general advice that may or may not apply to your situation.

That’s the difference. It’s not a class you watch. It’s a coaching experience where your specific curls get specific attention.

The result: curls that last longer, a routine that actually works for your hair, and a lot less time, money, and frustration spent on products and techniques that aren’t right for you.

If you’re stuck doing this alone, you need a second opinion, and this is exactly what I do inside my Group Curl Coaching Program. Enrollment for the fall program is open through September 15. Reach out with questions if you’re unsure if it’s a fit.